Coffee Pot c. 1938

Richard Barnett made this painting of a coffee pot sometime during his long life, with what looks like gouache on paper. Can you imagine Barnett, staring intently, trying to capture its essence? The top two-thirds of the pot are rendered in variations of earthy red, giving way to an ochre around its base. There’s something about the way the artist has handled the paint – thinly applied, almost translucent in areas – that makes it feel so immediate, so human. It reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still lifes, with their quiet, contemplative mood and muted tones. The subtle gradations of color and tone suggest a gentle light source, casting soft shadows and creating a sense of depth. In some ways, it transcends the everyday object it represents, becoming a meditation on form, color, and light. It makes me want to paint. Don’t you? Barnett’s piece is a reminder that painting is a conversation, an ongoing exchange of ideas and inspiration across time.