Pitcher 1935 - 1942

Curator: This delicate watercolor and drawing by Beverly Chichester, aptly titled "Pitcher," likely dates between 1935 and 1942. Editor: My immediate reaction is a surprising intimacy, despite the everyday object depicted. There’s a soft glow and subtle shading that almost feels…domestic. It has the scale of something you'd hold in your hand, no? Curator: It certainly does. The pitcher as an object, often associated with sustenance and hospitality, carries quite a lot of cultural weight, I'd suggest. Consider how pitchers, as containers and symbolic vessels, evoke ideas of community, sharing, and the provision of essential elements. Editor: I agree, although the specific color pulls me elsewhere; that deep amber shade seems very specific, no? How does that tonality strike you formally, psychologically? Curator: I perceive a direct correlation. Amber, a material formed through preservation over time, has inherent psychological associations: history, memory, warmth. It suggests an enduring quality that connects to human needs. Furthermore, glass can be said to mirror clarity and reflection, or sometimes even fragility, but that specific quality is not represented here. It's also suggestive of warmth... a subtle way to reference shared spaces. Editor: Mmm, interesting! And that's heightened through the skillful shading with watercolors. Look closely— the gradients create the illusion of a smooth, tactile surface despite being, ostensibly, on paper. She creates this through subtle modulations; you get the sense of weight, transparency… Curator: It suggests a careful intention to elevate an ordinary item into something that speaks beyond its mere function. I like that, particularly how it invites viewers to find value and meaning in everyday objects. It resonates, even now. Editor: Indeed. Seeing Chichester's hand at work with such skill compels one to look twice, maybe three times. Curator: Precisely. It challenges our perception and reveals how the mundane can embody deeper symbolic worth. Editor: A reminder that even the simplest forms can conceal remarkable artistry, don't you think? I certainly appreciate the reminder.