Jar c. 1938

Nicholas Amantea made this watercolor of a ‘Jar’, we don’t know when, but let’s just imagine. I see a simple vessel rendered with care, its surface soft and muted. Amantea is describing its form and also its texture. The jar is beige, with a brown lip, and a beautiful, cobalt blue bird perched on a delicate branch. I can feel the artist’s hand moving across the paper, building up the tones and subtle shadows to create a sense of depth. He seems to be asking himself, how do you capture something so humble, so everyday, with such grace? What kind of story is he telling about craftsmanship, utility, and the quiet beauty of the ordinary? Amantea's decision to depict this object invites us to reflect on the value we place on everyday items, elevating the mundane to the realm of art. I think that’s really cool.