Still Life with Yellow Jar 1930

Kmetty János made this still life with I think oil paint, and you can see the way he’s built up each object with small, hatched strokes, like he’s knitting color together. I love the way János has given each object its own weight and presence through color and texture. Look at the yellow jar, and how solid and luminous it is. The blue cup next to it vibrates against the pale oranges. I like the way the white cloth sits as a base for all these objects, each getting the same consideration, nothing less worthy than anything else. See the little dashes that make the blue of the knife handle, like a little flourish in the composition? János’ use of a muted palette reminds me of Morandi and how he worked with variations in tone. Both find a kind of wonder in these quiet, domestic scenes. They show us how we can find a certain joy in the everyday. It’s all about paying attention.