Vase c. 1940

Giacinto Capelli's "Vase" presents us with a study in form and color, meticulously rendered on paper. The dominant magenta of the vase immediately captures the eye, its vibrancy contrasted by the clear, colorless stem and handles. Capelli's choice to isolate the vase against a neutral background emphasizes its contours and allows for a focused examination of its shape. The symmetry of the vase, with its balanced handles and gently curving body, speaks to a classical sensibility, yet the bold color choice infuses it with a modern energy. We might consider how Capelli uses color not just descriptively, but structurally. The intensity of the magenta flattens the vase, reducing its three-dimensionality and inviting a dialogue between surface and depth. This flattening effect echoes modernist concerns with the picture plane and challenges traditional notions of representation. The drawing invites us to see the vase not just as a functional object, but as a sign, a symbol, ripe with potential meanings.