Pitcher c. 1936

Frances Lichten made this painting of a pitcher using watercolor. Look at these marks, these translucent washes! I imagine Lichten, brush in hand, carefully layering pigment, coaxing out the curves of the pitcher, the delicate floral design. I sympathize with her, spending time with this object. Thinking about painting: it’s not just about rendering what’s there, it's about feeling it. How the light hits, the cool surface, the weight of the handle in your hand. It’s easy to get bogged down in detail, but Lichten keeps it light. This is not about perfection, it's about capturing a feeling, a moment in time. The soft palette and smooth gradations create a sense of calm. The gold trim around the design is echoed in the leaves that frame the flower arrangement. I wonder if Lichten was thinking of her predecessors while she worked? All these painters looking at pitchers and jugs. Thinking. Feeling. Learning from each other across time.