Syrup Jug c. 1936

John Dana made this drawing of a Syrup Jug in the late nineteenth century, using graphite and watercolor. Look at the way the neutral colors, grays and browns, are activated by the subtle textures. It’s like Dana wasn’t just depicting an object, but conjuring its very essence through this interplay of light and shadow. The surface of the jug has this incredible tactile quality, doesn’t it? You can almost feel the raised floral motifs and the smooth, reflective metal of the lid. Dana used watercolor in such a way as to mimic the material qualities of the jug itself, giving it depth and weight. Take a closer look at the handle. It almost looks like a tree branch, twisting and turning with a life of its own. This piece reminds me a little of the still life paintings of Giorgio Morandi, who also had a knack for finding beauty in everyday objects. Like Morandi, Dana invites us to slow down and really see the world around us, one syrup jug at a time.