Jar 1935 - 1942

This 'Jar' was made by Charlotte Sperber sometime in the 20th century; it's a watercolor on paper. Look how Sperber lets the strokes build up, allowing the form to emerge through a kind of soft, smoky haze. The surface has a gentle texture, a blend of grays, and you can almost feel the grain of the paper underneath. That deep blue is carefully placed, it’s almost like she's breathing life into the vessel with each stroke. See how the little floral flourishes dance around the body of the jar? It reminds me of how a potter might actually decorate the surface of clay. It’s interesting to consider how Sperber plays with the idea of representation, it feels like the kind of drawing you might see from someone like Paul Klee. It leaves you with a sense of possibility, rather than a definitive statement.