Pa. German Pie Plate c. 1937

Jack Carr created this watercolor of a Pa. German Pie Plate. The eye is immediately drawn to the circular composition, a warm field of tan and brown hues, centrally featuring a figure on horseback. The colors, rendered in a deliberately naive style, evoke a sense of rustic charm. The configuration of the rider, horse, and surrounding motifs—plants and what appear to be trees—suggest a narrative frozen in time. The rider, brandishing both a pistol and a sword, could symbolize authority. However, the simplified forms and the flattening of perspective destabilize any sense of conventional representation. Carr seems to be questioning traditional modes of depiction by embracing a vernacular style, challenging the viewer to reconsider notions of skill and artistic value. The circular format itself, reminiscent of folk art traditions, further underscores this tension between high and low art.