Pa. German Jar c. 1937

William L. Antrim created this watercolor painting of a Pennsylvania German jar, probably sometime in the middle of the 20th century. The palette is earthy, grounded – siennas, ochres, and creams, which gives the painting a slightly faded, historical feeling, like an old photograph. I'm interested in the way Antrim approaches the jar itself. It's not just a smooth, idealized form; the surface is textured, mottled, with visible imperfections. The artist's hand is present in the rendering of the light and shadow. Look at the deer motif. The lines are confident, but not rigid. There's a softness in the way the form is described, suggesting a kind of empathy between the artist and the object. This reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, where everyday objects become vehicles for exploring light, form, and feeling. Like Morandi, Antrim invites us to slow down, to really *see* the thing in front of us, and in doing so, to find beauty in the ordinary. It's a reminder that art isn't just about grand gestures; it's about paying attention.