Crock c. 1938

Curator:Well, hello there! Editor:This is "Crock," a watercolor and drawing by Daniel Fletcher, created around 1938. It’s a really muted, earthy piece. There’s a quiet stillness to it. What do you see when you look at this work? Curator:Oh, my. Well, first, I see memories clinging to the unassuming clay. It's so plainly executed, yet I feel I'm looking at someone's most prized possession. Can't you just imagine the briney cucumbers, pungent sauerkraut, or pickled beans stored inside? A simple object rendered with obvious care... what’s not to love? What sort of memories does it stir in *you*? Editor: That’s a beautiful way to put it! I guess I see something solid, like a testament to folk art—sturdy, reliable, something that lasts. And the Bennington, Vermont stamp kind of anchors it in a particular place and time. It's very realistic, but almost hyper-realistic, right? Curator:Ah, yes, 'realism.' You know, sometimes the humblest objects reflect the grandest themes, right? Domesticity, labor, a real connection to the earth… and all caught with incredible accuracy! You know, I wonder if the artist was perhaps recalling their own family's 'crock'–the object they might use every day of their lives. Editor:Wow, I never really thought of it that way, as something personal. Now, seeing this art from your perspective is a true treat, I can assure you that! Curator:And likewise, hearing your thoughts truly expanded the way I think of realism now. The joy of collaboration. Thanks!