Jar with Cover c. 1939

Alvin Shiren made this rendering of a jar with a cover sometime between 1855 and 1995. The sienna-colored vessel sits serenely in the center of the page. It’s neatly contained within a gentle ochre ground. The artist has captured the reflective sheen of the ceramic with delicate highlights. The drips on the cover, and sides of the jar give the impression of it having just been fired, fresh from the kiln. I can imagine Shiren’s focus as he paints the subtle curves and contours of the jar, trying to capture its essence with each brushstroke. He and other artists are always in conversation, sharing ideas and inspiring one another across time. You can see echoes of Morandi's still lifes in this. Painting is an act of embodied expression, and Alvin Shiren's work is a testament to the power of art to evoke emotion, provoke thought, and foster connection.