Pitcher c. 1938

Richard Barnett’s ‘Pitcher’ is an artwork of unknown date, rendered with what looks like precise watercolor on paper. The color palette is beautifully limited, almost monochromatic, giving it a sense of timelessness. Looking closely, I see how the artist has built up the form of the pitcher with careful gradations of tone. The paint seems thin and transparent, allowing the light to subtly play across the surface. The central motif of the leaf, subtly embossed on the pitcher, feels both organic and decorative. It reminds me of botanical illustrations, where observation meets artistic interpretation. The handle, with its delicate curve, seems almost anthropomorphic, lending the pitcher a sense of character. Barnett’s work reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi’s still-life paintings, with their quiet contemplation of everyday objects. But it also feels very much its own thing. In the end, it’s about seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary, and about how art can reveal the beauty of the world around us.