Toleware Coffee Pot c. 1940

Charles Henning made this Toleware Coffee Pot at some point in his long life. The fluid, almost drippy paint and simple but bold use of color invites an immediate response. It’s kind of charming and playful, don't you think? The rendering of the coffee pot is so interesting. The brown tones are translucent, allowing the viewer to perceive the subtle gradations of the surface while also suggesting a sense of depth and form, like peering into the shadows of a cupboard. The details are fantastic, particularly the way the yellow details are applied with confident strokes. The painted flowers and fruit have a kind of rough and ready quality, each shape distinct but blended, giving it a handcrafted feel. The way it makes a wonky halo around the design almost makes it vibrate. This reminds me of the work of Henri Rousseau; there’s a similar celebration of direct, unpretentious expression that feels both joyful and sincere. It shows how art is not just about perfection but about the beauty found in the act of creation itself.