Jar c. 1938

Curator: So, here we have "Jar," a watercolor and charcoal drawing on paper, created around 1938 by John Tarantino. Editor: It’s wonderfully earthy. That rough, stoneware feel comes right through. It reminds me of grandma’s pantry, you know? Functional, beautiful, hinting at hidden things. Curator: Absolutely! Jars like these held everything from pickles to preserves. And the cobalt blue decoration – it's instantly recognizable. Do you see the makers’ mark? "Hudson River Pottery, West 12th Street…" Such details connect us to specific places, to industries, to generations. Editor: Hudson River Pottery… I love thinking about who made that actual jar, what their lives were like. It has an appealing folk quality, the way that cobalt flower design isn't exactly perfect; a little bit wonky actually. But, doesn't that just make it feel real, cared for, made with love? Curator: Precisely. The "imperfection" speaks volumes about handcraft and the individual artisan. In a world becoming increasingly mass-produced, such unique details were a point of pride, almost a signature. The flower itself? It is less about botanic accuracy, and more about conveying a sense of nature's abundance. It also has ties to ancient symbolism, often representing fertility and prosperity. Editor: So, a bit of a charm, maybe? Good luck, good eats tucked away inside. It makes you wonder what was stored in the original jar, you know, what dreams were being preserved inside it along with the jams and vegetables? Curator: The artist chose charcoal and watercolor… that choice lends itself particularly well to the form of this drawing. They serve to really soften the edges, highlighting textures. This artistic medium reflects an aesthetic that revered utility as art itself. Editor: And to think this unassuming drawing offers us a lens into past lives, hinting at survival strategies, creativity and deep connection to land! It's like glimpsing a secret world through an ordinary object. Curator: Yes! John Tarantino captured not just a jar, but an emblem. This humble vessel contained much more than its contents. Editor: Right. So many layers in what at first seems so simple. It kind of makes you want to find your own “jar”, both literally and metaphorically speaking. Curator: A place of safety, memory, sustenance... I hadn't thought of it that way! Thank you.