Pa. German Butter Mold c. 1939

Franklyn Syres made this watercolour painting of a Pennsylvania German butter mold, though we don’t know exactly when. What interests me right away is the subtle palette, all browns and creams, which gives the piece a warmth, like a sun-drenched afternoon. The texture is the star here. Syres really gets into the nitty-gritty of the mold, highlighting every ridge and groove. You can almost feel the smooth coolness of the wood and imagine the satisfying plop of butter being released. Look at the little star carved at the top of the mold. Isn’t it charming? It reminds me of the work of Charles Burchfield, who also found beauty in the everyday. Like Burchfield, Syres shows us that art doesn’t always have to be grand or flashy. Sometimes, it’s about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. And who knew a butter mold could be so captivating?