Pa. German Dish c. 1936

Max Soltmann rendered this image of a Pennsylvania German dish with watercolor and graphite. The image shows an interesting approach to mark-making. It is outlined with care, the kind of precision that comes from labor. I love the balance of tones and textures that give it a gentle, folk-art quality. Notice the way Soltmann used the graphite for the outlines, which is then filled in with more opaque watercolor, which gives depth to the two-headed bird. The texture reminds me of old family photos; worn down but still holding a memory. The simple color palette – mainly a mix of earth tones with touches of blue and green – enhances the folksy, handmade feel. The border around the edge looks hand-painted, and you can see the inconsistencies in its width, a gentle reminder of the artist's hand. This piece reminds me of the work of outsider artist Bill Traylor, who also used simple materials to create powerful and evocative images. It celebrates ambiguity and the multiple interpretations that make art so engaging.