Preserve Jar c. 1939

Alfred Parys made this 'Preserve Jar,' with what looks like watercolour on paper; the result is quiet, reflective, and still. I really wonder what Parys was thinking as he made it. The dominant color is the ochre of the jar, which is offset by the darker wood-grain table, making it feel very grounded. The dark glaze runs down the surface, like tears or the traces of time. Parys probably stared at the jar for quite a while, his focus intense, trying to capture its essence, its realness. He really noticed the little imperfections. It makes me think about Morandi, how he could take something so simple, like a bottle, and make it profound. There is a similar feeling here, of quiet contemplation and searching for meaning in the everyday. Ultimately, this is what all art does, it connects us to one another, across time, and inspires us to see the world in new ways.