Toleware Teapot c. 1939

This Toleware Teapot was made by Franklin Syres, sometime between 1855 and 1995. Syres approached the piece with such an honest rendering; the mark making is unpretentious, straightforward, almost like a folk song. I love how the artist really lets the material be what it is. The blacks and reds are not blended much; it's more like they’re bumping up against one another, creating this vibrant energy. The overall texture feels quite smooth, but you can tell that the paint has some body to it. Look at the way the red petals are built up, stroke by stroke. They almost vibrate against the darker ground. The simplicity of the drawing puts me in mind of Milton Avery; a similar economy of means, a focus on shape, and a flattening of space, all contributing to a powerful and understated image. It’s a really lovely piece and a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation.