Box of Pearls

This small painting was inspired not only by my lovely wife as she was trying on a pearl necklace, but also by the challenge of painting “out of focus” – a trick I gleaned from my good friend Jan Vermeer. It is not quite a “vanitas” genre painting as there is no direct or indirect reference to death. It is more a contemplation on natural beauty that simply doesn’t need the embellishment of jewelry or pearls.