Pewter Pitcher 1935 - 1942

Francis Borelli rendered this Pewter Pitcher with graphite on paper. Consider the pitcher itself, a vessel. Since antiquity, vessels have been symbols for the womb, representing the source of life and nourishment. Think of ancient Greek vases, often adorned with scenes of birth, death, and revelry, or even the Holy Grail, a chalice representing spiritual fulfillment. The pitcher's reflective surface distorts and mirrors its surroundings, a visual echo chamber. In this reflection, we confront our own projections and interpretations, engaging in a dialogue between the object, its history, and our own subconscious associations. Just as Narcissus gazed into the water, captivated by his reflection, we too are drawn into the pitcher's surface. This humble pewter pitcher transcends its mundane purpose, becoming a vessel of cultural memory, reflecting our shared human experience across time.