Crock 1935 - 1942

Eleanor Gausser made this drawing of a crock with what looks like watercolor on paper. I love the gentle way that she describes the object, as if she is slowly turning it in her hands. The unassuming palette of off-whites and blues gives the drawing a quiet feel. The eye-catching blue wreath is applied with bold strokes, and contrasts nicely against the neutral tones of the vessel. Up close, you can see how the translucence of the watercolor lets the texture of the paper come through, adding a tactile quality to the drawing. I am particularly drawn to the interior of the crock’s mouth, where the dark brown pigment pools. Gausser’s work reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, which find endless subtle variations in everyday objects. Like Morandi, Gausser shows us the quiet beauty of simple forms, inviting us to slow down and really see.