Bowl 1917

This bowl, residing here at the Art Institute of Chicago, was made by Edward Middleton Manigault. The gentle curves and earthy tones of this bowl makes me think about the meditative process of creation. I can almost imagine Manigault carefully applying each brushstroke, lost in a world of pattern and repetition. The symmetry is soothing. It seems like he was exploring the tension between control and spontaneity. Look closely, and you'll see the subtle variations in each form – like the way the blues bleed into the greens, or how the lines seem to dance slightly. It feels like an intimate glimpse into the artist's mind, an invitation to pause, reflect, and appreciate the simple beauty of imperfection. It reminds me that artists are always in conversation with one another, borrowing, riffing, and building upon the ideas of those who came before. And that's what makes art so exciting – the endless possibilities, the constant evolution, and the sense that there's always something new to discover.