Milk Pail 1938

Albert Geuppert made this watercolour of a milk pail, which is about 35 by 28 centimetres. The pail takes up almost all of the space in the painting, so it feels quite monumental and present. The rusty hues and vertical strokes show a quiet dedication. I see a little bit of a Giorgio Morandi vibe in the careful treatment of the object. I imagine Albert setting up the pail in his studio, under the northern light, getting his watercolours ready, and then settling into the slow work of observation. It's interesting how humble objects—cans, pails, and jugs—become profound subjects for a painter, and how the act of painting can elevate them. Painters are always looking at other painters, seeing how they deal with shape and colour. This conversation across time is what makes art so amazing.