Pa. German Plate c. 1937

William L. Antrim made this Pa. German Plate, sometime between 1855 and 1995, using what looks like watercolour and graphite. The colours are muted, gentle; pinkish browns with a soft, faded teal. The drawing is simple and stylized. There’s something so appealing about how the bird is rendered, with each feather delineated by tiny marks. It gives the impression of a kind of naive, heartfelt dedication. I love how the surrounding foliage is carefully arranged to frame the bird, emphasizing its central importance. The plate feels like an act of love. The inscription around the rim, probably in German, adds to its mystery and charm. It reminds me a little of the work of Forrest Bess, whose paintings also combined personal symbolism with text in ways that feel both intimate and inscrutable. Ultimately, this plate is a reminder that art doesn't always need to be grand or complicated. Sometimes, the most profound expressions are found in the simplest of forms.