Redware Pitcher c. 1939 - 1940

Betty Jacob made this redware pitcher painting on paper, at some point in her life. What strikes me here is the way Jacob approaches mark-making, with an awareness of the push and pull of the creative process. It’s almost like a dance, a back-and-forth between intention and accident. The texture is smooth and the color, a warm earthy brown, gives it a grounded, comforting feel. The paint appears thin and transparent, allowing the paper's surface to peek through, creating a sense of depth. Looking closer, I can almost see the delicate strokes of the brush, each one carefully placed to build up the form of the pitcher and its ornate decorations. Take the floral patterns around the pitcher's belly, for example. They're not perfect, not symmetrical, but they have a charm about them, a certain handmade quality that I find really appealing. Jacob reminds me a little of Agnes Martin. Both artists share a similar interest in the beauty of simple forms and the power of subtle gestures. Just as in painting, there is always a conversation happening across time.