Five Gallon Churn c. 1937

Richard Barnett made this watercolor of a five-gallon churn sometime in the 20th century; he’s taken care to use a limited palette, and I get the sense that the process of faithfully documenting the churn, rather than any grand artistic statement, was his primary concern. The churn itself has a lovely, sandy brown texture, achieved through the layering of translucent washes, it seems, that give the object a grounded, solid feel. But what really gets me are the dark, almost indigo blue, embellishments: a playful floral motif and the number "1856" painted directly onto its surface. I love how these elements disrupt the churn's otherwise earthy realism, adding a touch of folk art charm. Barnett's work reminds me a little of Charles Sheeler's precise yet reverential depictions of American vernacular architecture and design. Both artists find beauty in the everyday, elevating humble objects to a place of contemplation and, perhaps, a deeper understanding of our shared history.