Minnow
1955
Morris Graves
born Fox Valley, Oregon, 1910; died Loleta, California, 2001
To Graves, the minnow represented a moment of clarity—when glimpsed, it offered a sense of direction in the murky waters:
"The minnow is that coming-into-focus of a clue within a concentrated moment of awareness. Silvery minnow-moment, flash-gleaming in the depths, now seen,
now gone . . . when crisis occurs the minnow voluntarily comes into view—to renew faith and give direction." (Morris Graves, 1948)
Ink and transparent and opaque watercolor on paper
6 1/4 x 10 7/8 in. (15.8 x 27.7 cm)
Gift of the Estate of Harold P. Glass
83.259