Pickle Jar 1935 - 1942

Syrena Swanson made this drawing of a pickle jar, with unknown medium and date. The symmetry in its presentation is striking, almost iconic. The jar is encased in silver and stands centrally, flanked by symmetrical silver arms. Consider the visual interplay: the cool metallic sheen contrasts with the soft, rose-tinted glass. The eye is drawn to the delicate daisy patterns on the jar, their simple forms a deliberate contrast to the ornate silverwork around them. Swanson plays with texture and light, juxtaposing the smooth glass against the intricately detailed silver. Yet, the drawing subverts traditional representation. It does not just depict an object; instead, it dissects it. The pickle jar becomes a study in contrasts. The juxtaposition of naturalistic floral motifs with the cold, constructed metal framework raises questions about value and aesthetics, challenging viewers to reconsider the familiar. This work remains relevant as it invites us to question the aesthetic underpinnings of our own cultural artifacts.