Red Jug 1968

This is Mary Fedden’s 'Red Jug', it has a distinct color palette, a harmony of reds, whites, greens and oranges applied with clear and bold brushstrokes. I can imagine Fedden in her studio, considering objects on a table. She likely started with a loose sketch, figuring out the composition, the placement of each item. Look closely and you’ll notice how the objects are simplified, almost geometric, yet they retain a sense of their essential forms, and how the thick paint creates a tactile surface, adding depth and presence to the composition. The red jug itself is sturdy and confident, while the pears and circular dish create a rhythm, a visual dialogue that keeps our eyes moving around the painting. Fedden's work has a connection with painters like Morandi, who explored the quiet beauty of everyday objects. She, like many other painters, embraced a similar kind of conversation through their art.