Jar c. 1938

John Tarantino made this drawing of a jar, we don’t know when or for what reason. It's rendered in watercolor, and what's really striking to me is how Tarantino uses this medium to mimic the pottery he’s depicting. Look closely, and you can see how the colors blend and bleed into each other, creating a soft, almost blurred effect. It's like he's trying to capture the way light and shadow play across the surface of the jar, giving it a real sense of depth and volume. There's a real attention to detail in the way he renders the subtle variations in tone and texture, especially around the lip and base. That simple blue botanical decoration is also nicely done. The drawing reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, there’s that same appreciation for the quiet beauty of everyday objects. It all feels very humble, and yet deeply satisfying. It suggests that art can be found in the most unexpected places.