Pitcher c. 1936

Janet Riza made this drawing of a pitcher, probably in the early 20th century, using pencil and watercolor. Look at how she builds up the image through layers of delicate marks, a process that feels both considered and intuitive. The painting has a quiet, almost ethereal quality, doesn't it? The pitcher is rendered in translucent greys and browns, which give it a sense of depth and volume. The handle and base offer a warm contrast, grounding the pitcher in a subtle way. Notice how she’s handled the rim, using soft, thin washes to suggest the subtle reflections. It’s almost like she’s trying to capture the ephemeral quality of light itself. This reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes, where simple objects are transformed through careful observation and repetition, each brushstroke a meditation on form and light. For both artists, the subject is less important than the act of seeing, the slow unfolding of visual experience.