Mug c. 1940

This simple but lovely Mug was made by Van Silvay, but we don’t know when. The mug is constructed with shades of grey and blue, using a dry brush. It’s painted on a tan paper. Silvay’s use of thin layers of paint gives the mug a luminous quality, as if it’s lit from within. There is a beautiful kind of looseness, especially around the handle, which is outlined, giving it an almost cartoon-like presence. The artist’s hand is present in the work. It’s this relationship between representation and abstraction that I find so compelling. The mug is clearly recognizable, yet the artist's process remains visible, reminding us that we are looking at an image, not the real thing. It reminds me of Morandi’s still lifes, but with a slightly more playful sensibility. Ultimately, this mug is a reminder that art is always a conversation. It builds upon what came before, remixes it, and sends it out into the world, ready to be transformed again.