Pa. German Ceramic Horse c. 1938

Carl Strehlau made this Pa. German Ceramic Horse out of watercolour, a medium that often embraces transparency. What strikes me here is how the choice of a single hue directs our attention to the sculptural, dimensional aspects of the ceramic horse. The tonal variations and subtle gradations in color, from the darker, almost chocolatey shadows to the lighter, more delicate highlights, create depth. Strehlau has captured the object's form through the movement of the brush. The repetition of small, deliberate strokes emphasizes the physical presence and the texture of the ceramic. Look closely, and you can almost feel the smooth, cool surface of the glaze and the slight imperfections of the handmade object. I'm put in mind of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings, where humble objects are imbued with a quiet dignity. Like Morandi, Strehlau transforms an everyday object into a subject worthy of contemplation. There's a warmth and simplicity here that transcends mere representation, inviting us to appreciate the beauty in the mundane and the handmade.