Jar c. 1938

Nicholas Amantea made this drawing of a jar with graphite and watercolor. It’s such a modest rendering, but there’s a real gentleness in the way he’s approached the subject. The limited palette—brown, grey, and blue—gives it a kind of quiet harmony. The slight variations in tone, like the darker rim of the jar or the shadows, create a subtle sense of depth. And look at the blue bird—it's so delicately placed; perched on a sketched branch, it's got a folksy charm. Amantea understood the power of simplicity, didn't he? It reminds me a little of some of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes. Both artists had an interest in the mundane, and both found a way to celebrate the beauty of everyday objects. It’s a reminder that art isn't always about grand statements; sometimes, it’s about finding beauty in the quiet moments.