Pa. German Plate c. 1938

Giacinto Capelli made this rendering of a Pa. German Plate, probably with watercolor, sometime in the 20th century. There’s something so great about the directness in the image, how it doesn't fuss around. It’s like Capelli just wanted to capture the essence of this folk art object, its colors, its forms. Look at the way the earthy reds and greens pop against that creamy background; it's a color party! And those flowers, rendered with such simple shapes and outlines—they’re not trying to be botanically accurate, they’re just there to bring joy, you know? The circular inscription around the edge, like a little poem framing the scene. I love how the text becomes almost a visual element, blending into the overall composition. It reminds me of those early abstract painters who were so inspired by folk art. It’s like Capelli is saying, "Here’s a piece of history, a piece of everyday beauty." It's a reminder that art is everywhere, even in the things we use and maybe take for granted.