Crock c. 1936

Nicholas Amantea made this drawing of a crock, we don’t know exactly when, using graphite and watercolor. The surface is alive with subtle gradations, the dry-brushed watercolour creating a granular, almost photographic rendering of the real-world object. The drawing’s muted palette, a symphony of earthy browns and faded blues, gives it a humble, straightforward feel. It’s a drawing about seeing, about taking note of the small things. Look at the way Amantea coaxes depth and form from the simplest of means. The soft, blurry edge of the crock contrasts with the sharper lines of the decorative detail, giving the image a hazy, dreamlike quality. It reminds me of Morandi’s still life paintings, where everyday objects are transformed into something quietly poetic. Both artists share a vision rooted in quiet observation.