Receptacle for Peanut Oil c. 1939

Vera Van Voris made this painting on paper of a "Receptacle for Peanut Oil". I can see the work of her hand here, in the way the object is carefully placed on the page, with the kind of attention we might give a rare flower or a curious insect. I wonder about the way this artist sees the world. The artist has chosen to depict a utilitarian object, elevating it through the act of painting. Maybe, by painting it, she helps us notice it and think about the everyday objects we take for granted. Look at how she layers colors to build up the form, using delicate lines to define the wood’s texture and how the dark line provides contrast, drawing our eye up and down the image. It reminds me of Morandi’s still-life paintings. It's like she’s saying, “Hey, look at this thing, isn't it something?” It’s a humble and beautiful act, making us see the extraordinary in the ordinary.