Pie Plate c. 1939

Editor: Here we have Alfred Parys's "Pie Plate" from around 1939, a watercolor drawing. It has such a quiet, unassuming quality. What initially strikes you about this piece? Curator: It makes me think about home. Isn’t that funny? All those wiggly green lines decorating the plate remind me of when my grandma would let me ‘help’ her decorate pies when I was little. Of course, my squiggles were never that tidy, and she would gently ‘fix’ them while letting me think I was truly in charge. It’s beautifully painted, quite real and honest; a memory caught in time. Do you think Parys felt the same? Editor: Maybe? The piece also looks a bit naive, yet incredibly skilled. Did "naive" art become popular at that time? Curator: Oh, I think this is Realism actually - but with a good sprinkling of soul! You can almost feel the coolness of the shelf on which the pie plate rests and smell a pie coming right out of the oven! It brings a feeling, don't you think? It transports. The green decoration pops, doesn't it? Were those some proto-emoji symbols, some smiley snakes bringing you food joy? Editor: "Smiley snakes bringing food joy"—I love that! That helps me imagine what it's trying to be in its space and time! Thanks! Curator: Anytime! I also love that you helped me understand how something plain is something precious and wonderful.