Water Jug c. 1936

Yolande Delasser made this watercolour drawing of a water jug, we don't know exactly when, but it's as fresh as if it were made yesterday. The whole image has a fluid, dreamy quality, like a memory fading in and out. Delasser shows us the pitcher in a few different views as if she’s turning it in her hands. The colours are muted, almost monochromatic, with soft greys and browns that give the jug a rustic, earthy feel. But then there are these little pops of blue, the painted flowers, that just zing. I love how the brushstrokes are visible, adding texture and a sense of handmade quality. The way the light catches on the curves of the jug makes it seem so real, you could almost reach out and touch it. It reminds me of some of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings, with their quiet, contemplative mood and focus on simple, everyday objects. Ultimately, it’s a beautiful example of how art can find beauty in the mundane.