About the artist

Clutie (active mid-20th century) is known for intimate, expressive works on paper that emphasize gesture, rhythm, and emotional nuance. Working primarily in watercolor, Clutie’s practice reflects an interest in spontaneity and the fluid exchange between control and chance—qualities inherent to the medium itself. Rather than strict representation, the artist’s work often leans toward abstraction, allowing form, color, and movement to carry meaning.

About Letters to Dove IV (1976)

Letters to Dove IV (1976) is a watercolor that exemplifies Clutie’s sensitivity to scale, touch, and atmosphere. The title suggests a personal or poetic framework, positioning the work as part of a larger sequence or correspondence. Within the composition, watercolor’s transparency and bleed create layered marks that feel both deliberate and instinctive, reinforcing a sense of intimacy and reflection.

The modest scale of the work encourages close viewing, drawing attention to subtle shifts in tone and gesture. Rather than depicting a specific subject, the piece functions as an emotional record—an abstract “letter” in which movement, color, and space communicate quietly and directly. In this way, Letters to Dove IV highlights watercolor’s ability to convey immediacy and vulnerability through minimal means.