Quart Stoneware Preserving Jar c. 1941

George V. Vezolles made this drawing of a preserving jar, sometime in the early to mid 20th century. It’s a utilitarian object, elevated through the act of drawing. The simplicity of the subject is echoed in the uncomplicated rendering, the artist’s hand visible in the soft, almost hazy application of color. Looking at the body of the jar, I notice how Vezolles coaxes the light grey from the paper through layered strokes of graphite or paint wash, and the delicate blue lines appear almost like gentle waves. Thinking about the material quality of the jar itself, I wonder what it would feel like to hold: the cool smoothness of the stoneware, the satisfying heft of the vessel. It’s a drawing that invites touch, even as it remains firmly two-dimensional. There’s something inherently American about this piece, reminding me of the work of Charles Sheeler, with its celebration of everyday objects and vernacular design. It’s humble, direct, and quietly beautiful.