Salt Cellar c. 1937

This is Janet Riza's drawing of a salt cellar. It’s rendered with delicate watercolor washes on paper. The pale, neutral background emphasizes the almost ghostly translucent quality of the glass object. Riza’s Salt Cellar is essentially a study in form and light. The artist explores how light interacts with the glass, creating subtle variations in tone and texture. The vertical ridges on the glass, rendered with fine brushstrokes, add depth and dimension to the object. It also shows how the interplay of light and shadow defines the shape and structure. The composition is simple yet effective. The centered placement of the salt cellar against the plain background draws our attention to its shape. The formal approach allows us to appreciate the aesthetic qualities and delicate nature of this everyday object. It functions as a meditation on transparency, form, and light. And it’s also an invitation to discover beauty in the mundane.