Jar c. 1937

Charles Caseau made this Jar using watercolor and graphite. I'm just imagining Caseau, back then, with his paper and his careful brushstrokes. It's interesting how he's captured the essence of the pottery. The way the colors bleed into one another, mimicking the glaze, it's almost like he's trying to replicate the pottery firing process. And then there's the inscription, so clearly marked at the top of the jar. Perhaps it's a sign of respect for the craftsmanship, a nod to the maker. I think this adds an interesting dynamic to the painting; the beautiful watercolor technique and the functional design of the jar. It makes me wonder what else he painted, and how he saw the world around him. He is in a dialog with other artists that came before him. It's a reminder that art is everywhere, even in the most mundane of objects.