Pa. German Cup and Saucer 1937

Max Soltmann made this watercolor of a cup and saucer, and it's like looking into someone's quiet morning. The warm browns and muted greens speak of earth and simple pleasures. Imagine Soltmann’s hand moving deliberately, building up the forms with gentle washes. You can see the care he takes in rendering the cup's curved handle and the saucer's octagonal shape. The brushstrokes are soft, almost caressing the paper. It makes me think about the countless still lifes painted throughout history, each artist finding something new in the everyday. Maybe Soltmann was drawn to the play of light on the ceramic, or perhaps it was the humble beauty of the objects themselves. There is a sense of calm and order, but also a hint of something deeper, a recognition of the beauty in simplicity. It's a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.