Jar c. 1937

Yolande Delasser created this watercolor titled “Jar”, showing the stoneware object in muted tones against a neutral background. The jar's cylindrical form, softened edges, and earthy palette give it a tactile quality, inviting the viewer to consider its materiality. The visual structure hinges on contrasting the jar’s subdued, almost monastic appearance, with the dynamic, almost playful cobalt blue floral design. This juxtaposition sets up a visual dialogue between utility and decoration, the organic and the manufactured. The dark floral patterns disrupt the jar's otherwise simple form, creating a semiotic tension. Do these elements represent a deeper cultural narrative, perhaps hinting at a transition from functional object to a decorative symbol? This work asks us to consider how everyday objects can become charged with cultural meaning through careful manipulation of form and design. Consider the overall aesthetic tension, as the interplay between form and decoration transforms a commonplace jar into a focal point for contemplation.