Jug 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, this is Charles Caseau's "Jug," a watercolor and drawing piece likely made between 1935 and 1942. The color palette is really restrained. It reminds me of old stoneware pottery, almost like a faded memory. What do you see when you look at this? Curator: Oh, it whispers tales of a simpler time, doesn't it? I'm immediately drawn to the artist's attention to texture. He’s captured the cool, slightly rough feel of ceramic with just watercolor. And that pop of cobalt blue decoration? It sings! I imagine Caseau wasn't just painting a jug; he was capturing the spirit of American craft. Do you get a sense of nostalgia looking at it? Editor: I do! The blue floral design makes me think of my grandmother's kitchen. But I’m also wondering, why paint a jug? Curator: Ah, that's the delicious part! Perhaps it was the beauty of everyday objects that captivated him. Maybe he saw something poetic in the simple curve of its form or the utility it represents. Art doesn't always have to be grand and sweeping. Sometimes it's about finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Do you see the faint second jug? Like a ghost of potential. It makes me wonder about his process... Editor: That's true! The second drawing makes me see it like a study rather than a still-life. I never thought I could find so much to talk about in a humble jug. Curator: Precisely! That's the magic of art, isn't it? It makes you slow down, observe, and connect with the world in unexpected ways. Makes you appreciate the artistry infused into everyday items, even if they are well…empty! Editor: I guess it's made me rethink my definition of art! Curator: Excellent! It's always wonderful when art surprises you.