Economy Redware Pitcher c. 1937

Ralph Atkinson’s painting of an Economy Redware Pitcher presents us with an object rendered with a humble and direct approach. The shades of warm brown, applied with visible brushstrokes, give the pitcher a grounded, earthy feel, making the process of its creation feel very present. The glossy surface of the pitcher is captured by Atkinson’s use of highlights, which are applied with a directness that invites us to consider the physicality of the paint itself. Look closely, and you can almost feel the way the brush moved across the surface, building up layers of color to create depth and form. Note how the reflections pool and distort on the body of the pitcher. This distortion tells us something about the form of the vessel, but also about painting as a kind of translation. Atkinson's focus on everyday objects reminds me of Giorgio Morandi, who also found endless inspiration in the simple forms of bottles and jars. Both artists remind us that art doesn't always need to be grand or complex, but can be found in the quiet contemplation of the world around us.