Jug c. 1936

Bessie Forman created this watercolor painting of a jug sometime in the 20th century. The jug, a vessel meant to contain and preserve, has existed since antiquity. Look at its form: a wide, stable base tapering to a narrower neck, crowned with a handle. Its shape echoes the ancient amphorae of Greece and Rome, vessels that carried wine, oil, and grains across vast empires. But here, the utilitarian aspect of the jug takes center stage. Unlike the amphorae, this jug loses any decorative elements to become a simple receptacle. We see the endurance of basic human needs distilled into this single object. Its earthy tones and unadorned surface evoke a sense of timelessness, quietly reminding us of our shared history. The jug becomes more than an object, it is a silent carrier of our collective past.