Pitcher c. 1936

Frances Lichten made this watercolor painting, "Pitcher," and what strikes me is how she captured light on a white ceramic object. Lichten’s color palette is soft, but it's the light that gives it volume. Look at the gold detailing around the rim of the pitcher, or the way she captures the reflection of light in the body of the pitcher: It's almost like the paint is breathing. The flowers are lovely, of course, in their detail, and the whole thing has a very old-fashioned, slightly faded quality, like a memory of a lovely object in your grandma’s china cabinet. When I see it, I also can’t help but think of the work of contemporary painters like Lois Dodd, who also painted directly from life, in watercolor or oil. Both artists share a commitment to the intimate observation of everyday objects and the way they shape our perceptions of the world.