Kettle 1935 - 1942

Joseph Glover made this "Kettle," and what strikes me is the way it captures the feeling of a well-used, everyday object through a meticulous approach to mark-making. The colour palette is earthy – browns and tans that speak to the kettle’s age and material. Up close, you can see how the texture has been built up. The surface isn't smooth; it's dotted and speckled, suggesting rust and wear. The way the light catches on the kettle's body, it’s not just about rendering a shape but about giving it weight, a history. Look at the handle; see how Glover has rendered the wood grain and the corroded metal. It gives you a sense of holding it, feeling its roughness, understanding its purpose. It reminds me of Morandi, who could make a whole world out of humble objects, elevating them to something profound through close observation. Like Morandi, Glover shows us that the everyday holds beauty, if we just take the time to really see.