Pitcher c. 1938

Curator: Here we have Giacinto Capelli's watercolor, "Pitcher," from around 1938. The illustration captures the play of light on the jug’s decorated surface. What strikes you immediately? Editor: It has a distinctly medieval feeling to it, with those rather gruesome animals hanging from the surface. The earth tones lend a rustic quality, as if the pitcher was excavated from a hunting lodge. Curator: Absolutely, the vertical emphasis of the animal motifs draws the eye upward, countered by the sturdy, faceted base. Consider how Capelli modulates color; from deep greens to russet browns, emphasizing its three-dimensionality. The handle and lip of the pitcher feature figural sculptural elements which lend balance to the piece as a whole. Editor: Those figures! The handle with the dog's head feels symbolic, like a guardian spirit presiding over the container's contents. And is that an eagle on the pitcher's lip? It transforms this simple household object into something steeped in lore and perhaps the tradition of the hunt. Curator: Indeed, note the meticulous detail with which Capelli renders the figures; they're integral to the work’s semiotic structure. We see an expression of an art deco sensibility via stylized motifs contrasted with a seemingly archaic treatment of surface ornament. Editor: There’s almost a pagan quality, reflecting a deep connection with nature, death, and maybe even sacrifice. This ordinary pitcher is suddenly imbued with potent symbolic weight. Curator: It's fascinating how Capelli intertwines functional design with historical echoes, and by the symbolism layered into the decorative elements that provide not only a feast for the eyes, but also invites a meditation on objecthood. Editor: Looking at it now, I’m less focused on the vessel’s utilitarian function and more intrigued by its totemic power and narrative potential. It speaks to enduring human themes in a striking, albeit understated, way.