Pa. German Plate c. 1936

This "Pa. German Plate" was made by Charlotte Sperber, using watercolor and graphite. It's got this light touch, almost like a blueprint, but with a real sense of care. The colors are muted—earthy greens and reds—like they've been weathered by time. Look at the bird, how it’s been outlined and coloured in with different textures. It’s not about perfection, but more about getting a feeling across. The body is a sea of small lines, with individual marks and gestures, which feels kind of like trying to capture the essence of bird-ness. It reminds me of some of those early American folk artists who were just figuring things out, not trying to be fancy, but making something that felt true to their world. The lines aren't perfect, and the colours are a little faded, but it has a charm all its own, inviting you to consider art as a process that embraces interpretation.