Pa. German Butter Crock c. 1940

Betty Jacob’s ‘Pa. German Butter Crock’ is a humble, yet captivating artwork of a household object. It’s rendered with a touch that feels both careful and free. Look at the way Jacob approaches colour; the earthy browns and tans blend, creating depth. There is the physicality of the medium, you can almost feel the texture of the clay. See the floral motifs around the body of the crock? The way the leaves and petals are carved out makes me think of printmaking, where the negative space is as important as the positive. Now, glance at the smaller, rectangular rendering to the right. Its like Jacob is taking the same motifs and experimenting with them, abstracting them. This piece reminds me of the work of contemporary artists who find beauty in the everyday. Like the painter, Giorgio Morandi, Jacob transforms something simple into a world of its own, a world where seeing becomes an act of love. It is a reminder that art is everywhere, waiting to be discovered.