Crock c. 1940

John Tarantino made this drawing of a crock, we don't know when, but perhaps he was interested in the everyday object, like those of us who came later. There’s something so tender in how this functional object has been rendered, with its gentle palette and wobbly lines. The surface is fairly flat, but Tarantino has used shading to create a sense of volume. The blue decoration is quite charming, and the little bird with its spotted body and curly tail feathers is just delightful! I'm drawn to the way the blue paint seems to bleed slightly into the beige background, creating a soft, almost blurry effect. The number '4' and the string of berries above the bird add a touch of whimsy and a sense of the handmade. It makes me think of the work of Philip Guston, who also found beauty in the mundane. What is art if not a conversation across time?