Toleware Tin Tea Caddy c. 1937

This is Jacob Gielens' "Toleware Tin Tea Caddy", a watercolor drawing. The composition immediately strikes us with its symmetrical arrangement, a central axis dividing the form into two identical halves. Notice how the bright red background contrasts sharply with the bold black and gold decorative elements. These aren’t merely aesthetic choices; they reflect a deep-seated interest in structure, and the artist engages with the push and pull between positive and negative space. The curvature of the petals or leaves creates a rhythm that draws the eye around the object. This rhythm destabilizes a fixed, static reading of the caddy, implying movement and change. The structure of the composition, coupled with the interplay of color, suggests that Gielens isn't just representing an object. He's exploring how form itself can be a carrier of meaning, creating a visual language that invites us to question fixed meanings and embrace new perceptions.