Crock c. 1938

Charles Caseau’s "Crock", made with… well, we don't really know when or with what. It's all kind of wonderfully mysterious, isn't it? Look at the way Caseau uses the blue decoration against the grainy, neutral background. It’s got this lovely balance between precision and looseness. The blue almost seems to hover. Now, focus on the central motif. It's like a stylized flower, but also kind of abstract, a bit like a heraldic symbol. See how the brushstrokes are confident but not rigid? It's as if Caseau found a sweet spot between control and letting the paint do its thing. It reminds me of Guston’s playful shapes, but with a quieter, more introspective feel. The magic of this piece is how it makes something so humble – a crock – feel special. It’s a reminder that art isn’t always about grand statements; sometimes, it’s about finding beauty in the everyday. And, like all good art, it leaves you with more questions than answers.