Wine or Water Jar c. 1940

Giacinto Capelli rendered this watercolor, "Wine or Water Jar," which presents a study of form through a seemingly simple subject. The jar's shape, a gently swelling curve from base to lip, dominates our view. Capelli's use of muted tones, primarily in earthen grays and browns, creates a textured surface that invites the eye to explore. The jar is not merely depicted but analyzed. Note how the cobalt blue bird motif, almost carelessly applied, disrupts the monochromatic scheme. This addition offers an intriguing contrast and a focal point, drawing our attention to the jar's surface and the way decoration interacts with form. The artist employs a straightforward composition, the jar centered and filling the frame, which emphasizes its objecthood and volume. Capelli’s structural choices are not just aesthetic. The jar, typically a vessel for holding and preserving, becomes a symbol of preservation itself—captured in a moment, its essence contained within the boundaries of the paper. This reflects a dialogue between form and function, object and representation. Through careful observation, we begin to see this piece as more than just a study of a jar.