Mortar and Pestle 1935 - 1942

Janet Riza made this drawing of a mortar and pestle, we don't know when, with what looks like watercolor on paper. The colours are simple but pleasing, with the orange and brown of the mortar contrasting with the pale blue of the pestle and the little circular base it stands on. I'm struck by how the artist depicts the material qualities of each of these objects. The mortar has this wonderful, glazed sheen, while the pestle looks cool and smooth like polished stone. Look closely, and you'll see that there's a shadow of the pestle painted inside the bowl of the mortar. This gives depth to the piece and reminds us of the tools' intended use: grinding and mixing. The whole thing is so clear and simple, just a few objects carefully arranged on the page. The drawing feels somehow connected to folk art traditions, with its emphasis on simple shapes and everyday objects. It reminds me of the paintings of Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless inspiration in the humble still life. It's amazing how much beauty and meaning can be found in the simplest of things.