Stoneware Jar c. 1939

Annie B. Johnston made this stoneware jar, we don't know exactly when, but the way she's built up the color suggests a real love for the process. The jar is rendered in soft, earthy tones, almost like a memory of clay rather than the thing itself. The surface is smooth and matte, built up with delicate, almost powdery layers of paint. The color is consistent but varied, giving the impression of gentle warmth and solidity. I like how the artist has rendered the jar’s gentle curve and the lid's roundness with so few lines. Look closely at how the light falls on the jar’s side, Johnston coaxes the form into being. It’s the kind of observation that comes from spending time with an object, from turning it over in your hands. It reminds me a little of Morandi, in the sense of how everyday objects become profound through careful attention. It’s a reminder that art isn't always about grand gestures but about the quiet act of looking.