Mug 1935 - 1942

Van Silvay made this drawing of a mug in an unknown year. It seems to be rendered in a blue wash, and the overall effect is one of simplicity and quietude. I can almost feel the artist sitting there, contemplating this everyday object, trying to capture its essence with delicate strokes. What was he thinking as he observed the play of light on the mug's surface? Was he captivated by its unassuming form, or was there a deeper connection, a hidden symbolism he sought to uncover? The blue wash is thinly applied and almost translucent, creating a sense of depth and volume. The handle looks somewhat delicate and fragile. Silvay’s choice of medium is interesting - you often see watercolours rendered in landscape, so it’s interesting to see it applied to a mug. It reminds me of the still life paintings of Giorgio Morandi, in their humble beauty. It’s like Silvay is in dialogue with them. Painting, after all, is a form of embodied expression, allowing for multiple interpretations and meaning. It's a way to stay in touch with your own way of seeing, thinking, and experiencing the world.