Jar c. 1940

Frank Fumagalli’s ‘Jar’ presents us with a study in form and materiality, meticulously rendered in watercolor. The composition centers on a simple, utilitarian object. The jar's translucent green evokes a sense of depth and volume. Consider how Fumagalli uses light and shadow to suggest the jar’s curvature and the thickness of the glass. The play of light creates subtle tonal variations, giving the object a tactile presence. There is a tension between representation and abstraction in this work. The jar is clearly identifiable, yet Fumagalli's focus on its formal qualities elevates it beyond a mere depiction. The artist is engaging with the semiotic potential inherent in everyday objects. The jar becomes a signifier, stripped of its immediate function and imbued with artistic value. Note the contrast between the smooth, rounded form of the jar and the flat, neutral background. It destabilizes the common understanding of how value is perceived and communicated through visual imagery.