Jar c. 1939

This drawing of a jar was made by Nicholas Amantea, but the date is unknown, which in a way chimes with the work, as it’s so pared back and elemental. The jar fills the frame, and is rendered in soft, smudgy graphite, with subtle gradations of tone. There’s a beautiful simplicity to the way Amantea has handled the material, creating a sense of volume and weight with such minimal means. You can see the texture of the paper coming through in places, which adds to the overall feeling of quietness and intimacy. My eye is drawn to the slight irregularities in the jar's surface, where the graphite is denser and darker, suggesting subtle shifts in form and light. It reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi, who spent his life painting the same bottles over and over. It’s a good reminder that art can be about the smallest, most unassuming things, and that there’s always something new to see if you take the time to really look. Ultimately, there’s a timeless quality to this drawing, which speaks to the enduring power of simple forms and honest materials.