Pottery Grave Post c. 1937

Annie B. Johnston made this drawing of a pottery grave post, but when, we don't know. What I see here is a flat object rendered as if it is 3D. The artist’s hand lingers on the surface, gently coaxing out the wood's roughhewn texture in dark brown and tan. I love the way she brings this grave post to life with these minimal, almost rudimentary marks. The post itself is a study in contrasts. See the dark knots that pepper its surface, each one a tiny galaxy in its own right? They disrupt the otherwise uniform tone, giving it a sense of depth and history. This simple, almost naive rendering reminds me of Guston’s late work, where everyday objects become monumental through the sheer force of attention. It’s as if Johnston is saying, “Even in death, there is beauty, texture, life.” And isn’t that what art is all about?