Pa. German Plate c. 1937

William L. Antrim made this Pa. German Plate sometime between 1855 and 1995. It’s funny to think of Antrim making this work, isn't it? Laying down these lines on this circular form, building up the image of the dove, maybe starting with the leaves, the body, and the details. I imagine the hand moving slowly at first, with more certainty as the image took shape. I love how the colors are muted yet so playful, each shade contributing to the overall sense of harmony and balance. It's like he's creating a world of color and form all his own. When I see the details, like the ribbon, I feel the artist really having fun. All of these painters, they are constantly referencing each other, consciously or unconsciously. I think about all the anonymous artists who have come before, all the knowledge passed down through generations of seeing and making. It’s just so interesting to see artists in conversation with each other across time.