Jug c. 1939

John Tarantino made this painting, Jug, using subdued, earthy colors – browns, blues, and pinks – that give it a quiet, rustic feel. Looking at it, I imagine Tarantino carefully layering the paint to build up the form of the jug, maybe stepping back often to get the shape just right. I bet he thought a lot about how light plays on simple objects. I wonder if he had the jug in front of him as he worked, really trying to nail that slightly rough texture. The blue floral design is such a nice touch, isn’t it? It's almost as if Tarantino knew that a simple, repeated motif could really bring the whole thing together. This piece makes me think about other painters, like Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless possibilities in everyday objects. It shows how artists are always looking at each other’s work, picking up ideas, and pushing them in new directions. And that’s what keeps art alive, right? It’s an ongoing conversation.