Pickle Jar c. 1939

Francis Law Durand made this watercolor, Pickle Jar, at some point in their long life, ending in 1995. Look at how the jar seems to emerge from the paper, almost as if you could reach out and touch it. What I find so interesting is the way Durand uses the watercolor to mimic the texture of the pottery. The brown is layered, creating a sense of depth and unevenness that's really convincing. The painted cobalt floral design is especially captivating, the watery blue of the flowers bleeding softly into the muted brown of the jar. This effect of the color bleeding mimics the process of firing the design onto the jar in real life. It’s reminiscent of some of Giorgio Morandi’s still life paintings, where everyday objects are rendered with this incredible sensitivity. This piece is more than just a representation, it's about the act of seeing, feeling, and really engaging with an object. It’s like Durand is inviting us to slow down and appreciate the quiet beauty of the handmade.