Brown Pottery Toby Jug c. 1936

Dorothy Brennan made this Brown Pottery Toby Jug in brown paint, at some point in the 20th century. It's all about the browns, from light tans to chocolate, and it feels like Brennan was really feeling her way through the form, letting the paint guide her. The texture is so interesting – you can see where the brushstrokes build up, especially around the figure's hat and coat. It's like she's sculpting with the paint. And look at the way she's handled the light – those little highlights that catch on the jug he's holding, giving it a real sense of volume. It's amazing how much she achieves with such a limited palette. It's got a folk-art vibe, a bit like some of the early American primitive painters. It reminds you that art is a conversation, artists looking and learning from each other across time. It is this kind of dialogue and exchange of ideas that continues to make art so intriguing.