Crock c. 1937

Nicholas Amantea rendered this drawing of a crock, its surface adorned with floral motifs and a cool blue glaze. The floral design, seemingly simple, echoes through time. Consider the 'horror vacui'—the fear of empty space—that drove ancient artists to fill surfaces with patterns and symbols. This design is reminiscent of the tendrils and blossoms that snake through Minoan pottery, symbols of nature's abundance. But here, these floral flourishes seem restrained, almost shy. The blue glaze, a cool, soothing color, brings to mind the meditative qualities of a still life. Yet, this blue also hints at melancholy, a yearning for a simpler, pastoral existence. This echoes the romanticism found in Biedermeier art. The enduring power of the floral motif lies in its ability to evoke a sense of life's cyclical nature. It is a constant reminder of growth, decay, and rebirth. It speaks to our collective memory, stirring subconscious connections to nature.