Water Jug 1935 - 1942

Yolande Delasser’s watercolor, "Water Jug," probably came into being through layer upon layer of delicate washes, each one building up a vision of the object, its colour, shape, and texture emerging slowly. I imagine Delasser carefully studying the stoneware, noting the way the light catches the curves and the subtle variations in the glaze. Did she feel a sense of connection to the anonymous artisan who crafted the original jug? The blue decorations, rendered with such precision, contrast with the warm earthy tones of the jug itself. I’m particularly drawn to the cursive inscription. There is a real sense of care in the rendering here. Yolande had to make lots of decisions about where to put each line and how thick to make it. The way Delasser has depicted the water jug reminds me of the work of other artists, like Giorgio Morandi, who found endless inspiration in simple, everyday objects. Delasser converses across time with the jug's maker. She encourages us to look closely, appreciate the beauty and craftsmanship in the everyday, and see how art can transform ordinary objects into something extraordinary.