Pitcher 1935 - 1942

John Tarantino made this drawing of a pitcher sometime in the 20th century. The soft watercolor palette creates a quiet, reflective mood as the artist focuses our attention on a humble, everyday object. Let’s consider how the composition operates here. The pitcher’s form dominates the pictorial space, rendered with careful attention to its rounded volume and the subtle gradations of light across its surface. The vessel is further articulated with utilitarian markings; the name of the pottery and a quickly painted bird motif. The drawing isn’t just a neutral record, but a semiotic exercise. Notice how Tarantino renders this common object through the lens of artistic representation. Through a thoughtful arrangement of form, texture, and representational elements, the artist elevates the object beyond its functional role, inviting us to see its aesthetic qualities. This imbues the depicted item with cultural and artistic significance.