Small Pot c. 1953

Yolande Delasser created this watercolor and graphite painting, Small Pot, sometime between 1855 and 1995. I can imagine her layering thin washes of color, building up the form of the pot through subtle gradations of tone. It's interesting to see how she's used the graphite to add definition to the lettering and the rim of the pot. I wonder what Delasser was thinking as she painted? Perhaps she was fascinated by the simple, utilitarian beauty of the pot, or maybe she was drawn to the historical significance of the inscription "Liberty Forever." The way she's rendered the texture of the pot, with its slightly rough surface and subtle variations in color, suggests a real connection to the object. It reminds me of the work of other artists who have found inspiration in everyday objects, like Morandi with his bottles or even, in a more contemporary way, like Tomma Abts. We’re all looking and interpreting. Artists are always having a conversation with each other through time, inspiring new forms of embodied expression. Ultimately, Delasser's painting invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the ordinary. It's like, can something be an artwork and an object? What’s the difference?