Water or Cider Jug c. 1939

Editor: We’re looking at "Water or Cider Jug," dating from around 1939, by Nicholas Amantea. It's a drawing rendered in watercolor, showcasing a ceramic earthenware jug. The palette is restrained and I think creates quite a humble aesthetic, which really allows the folk art elements to speak. I'm curious, what strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: The drawing exemplifies a clear hierarchical arrangement of forms. Note the progression from the robust circular handle and neck, down to the body, where the strategically positioned floral patterns contribute to a visually balanced composition. The blue ornamentation against the earthenware's beige further accentuates the interplay of positive and negative space. Do you observe a certain tension in the color and design of the painted surface? Editor: Yes, I see what you mean. The application of blue watercolor details does seem intentionally contrasting with the neutral tones. And the placement of the lettering gives an appealing texture. Curator: Indeed. The typography, positioned on opposing segments of the object, serves not merely as label but an integral aesthetic element. It guides the viewer's gaze, and rhythmically punctuates the body of the jug itself. These contrasting elements within a symmetrical schema coalesce to provoke visual tension and imbue this drawing with the kind of vitality usually confined to art with figurative aspects. It demands that we focus on form, technique, and the materiality of the work. What do you make of that materiality now? Editor: I see now that it’s not just a representation of the jug. It's really about the artistry itself, less about function. That changes how I see it. Curator: Precisely. It shifts the focal point to pure form, color and composition. Editor: Thank you. That focus helps to move away from just seeing it as folk art to noticing some deliberate artistic choices.