Crock c. 1936

Here we have Nicholas Amantea’s watercolour drawing of a Crock. The muted tones and subtly gradated shading give form to the vessel. The solid, simple construction of the crock rises from a narrow base to a swelling, rounded body, and is topped with a wide mouth. Two handles sit either side, punctuated with accents of cobalt blue. The eye is led around the form, appreciating its pleasing symmetry and proportion. Just below the lip runs a band of decoration. A repeated motif of downward-pointing arcs, scalloped like a row of fish scales, creates visual interest and a sense of rhythm. The cool blue contrasts with the warm greys and browns of the crock itself. This semiotic interplay introduces depth and complexity. The work functions as a meditation on form and utility, blurring the lines between fine art and functional object. Note how the artist has approached the rendering of the crock; the drawing's formal elements elevate the humble vessel to an object of contemplation.