Pa. German Dish c. 1936

Jessica Price made this drawing of a 'Pa. German Dish' at an unknown date, with what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper. I can imagine her bent over the original dish, trying to capture its essence in paint. The drawing feels both precise and free. The symmetrical placement of the flowers suggests a desire for order, while the slightly uneven lines and variations in color reveal a more intuitive, gestural approach. I can imagine Jessica making the marks and outlines to try and understand the original maker’s creative process, almost like she was tracing their hand movements. There is a conversation happening across time and medium, as she translates the three-dimensional ceramic form into a two-dimensional painted image. The floral motif is simple and stylized, but the way it is rendered, with soft color combinations and fluid lines, gives it a unique charm. It feels like a meditation on art, craft, and the beauty of everyday objects.