Pitcher c. 1935

John Dana made this drawing of a pitcher, we don't know when, but it has a charming sense of the everyday. There's a simple, washy quality to the paint, with delicate lines building up the form. What I love about this piece is how it captures light, especially around the base. It's a gorgeous, watery teal that pulls you in. Look at the handle, see how the paint pools and thickens, giving it a sculptural feel? There’s a real attention to detail in the rendering of the glass; you can sense Dana’s interest in the material and its ability to reflect and refract light. This work reminds me of Morandi's still lifes, with their quiet contemplation of ordinary objects. Dana invites us to see the beauty in the mundane, to appreciate the subtle dance of light and shadow on a simple pitcher.