Pitcher c. 1936

Curator: I'm immediately struck by the sense of quiet, of stillness. It's a modest drawing but undeniably elegant. Editor: Indeed. This is a watercolor drawing titled "Pitcher," created around 1936. The artist is John Tarantino. It's deceptively simple at first glance. Curator: Simple, yes, but look at how that ordinariness is elevated. Pitchers, jugs, they’re ancient domestic objects. Consider its history and cultural presence— it’s a container of life. Water, wine, nourishment… the humblest home would have had one, and yet Tarantino has rendered it with such care. Editor: Exactly. He’s chosen a seemingly mundane subject, and through his skillful execution, he prompts us to look again. The glaze, the way the light reflects – those amorphous splashes of brown and green become almost decorative, don’t they? They soften the utilitarian nature of the object, and transform it into art. Curator: I agree. There's a real honesty in his choice of subject. Pitchers have symbolized hospitality and abundance in different contexts, and in classical painting, they're often presented filled with fruit and plenty, signifiers of wealth and privilege. Tarantino presents a simple vessel, humble, useful... I find it grounding, somehow. Editor: Grounding! That's a good word. Almost melancholic, too, for me. It makes me think about handcraft traditions and how objects like these are passed down through generations – tangible pieces of the past that somehow ground us to family roots. Curator: Absolutely, and that simple fact can be missed, especially if all you look at are images and artworks online all day long. There's a beautiful vulnerability in how he handles the watercolor medium itself, too. The gentle gradations of color create a remarkable volume. Editor: I'd say! It’s the imperfections, the subtle shifts in color and the hint of shadow, that brings the humble object to life. It isn't striving to be spectacular, but it invites contemplation. Curator: Very true, and that sense of unpretentious honesty may invite you, dear listener, to reflect on all the small objects and details of beauty in your own daily surroundings that might deserve your notice and even spark joy! Editor: Definitely. You can go about the rest of the exhibition looking at it through fresh eyes now!