Vase c. 1936

John Matulis made this drawing of a vase sometime in the twentieth century. It looks like it was made with colored pencils or pastels. I can imagine Matulis in his studio, carefully rendering the form of the vase. Look at the gentle strokes he uses to build up the color and volume, creating a smooth, almost velvety texture. There is something so tender about how he captures the gradations of light and shadow. Brown dominates, offset with streaks of yellow and olive green. The vase sits on a nondescript grey-green surface. The drawing almost reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, where humble objects are transformed through subtle variations in tone and composition. Matulis’ work speaks to the quiet beauty of everyday objects. It makes you wonder how the artist saw the world.