Hetty Haxworth's "First Sight of Dawn" is a captivating painted relief on wood that masterfully balances abstraction with a sense of emerging daylight. In this intimate 26 x 30 cm work, Haxworth employs a restrained palette of soft greys, muted blues, and warm ochres to create a composition that feels both geometric and atmospheric. The artist's technique of building relief elements on the wooden surface adds subtle dimension, creating a delicate interplay between light and shadow as circular forms—perhaps representing the sun and moon—hover above an abstracted landscape. The horizontal bands suggest the meeting of land and sky at daybreak, with the golden-hued lower portion evoking fields or shorelines touched by first light.

Abstract Minimalism with Emotional Depth
Displayed on a wall, "First Sight of Dawn" creates a moment of quiet contemplation, drawing the viewer into its meditative exploration of form and space. The work's modest scale encourages an intimate viewing experience, allowing one to appreciate the tactile quality of the painted relief and the thoughtful arrangement of geometric elements. Though abstract in nature, the piece evokes the tranquil emotional quality of daybreak—that liminal moment when night transforms into morning. Haxworth's work demonstrates how contemporary abstract art can distill landscape elements to their essential forms while still maintaining a powerful connection to natural phenomena and the emotional responses they inspire.