Pitcher c. 1940

John Tarantino rendered this drawing of a pitcher using graphite and watercolor. Its subdued palette and meticulous detailing invite us to consider the formal and philosophical dimensions of everyday objects. The composition is dominated by the pitcher's form, centrally placed and filling the frame. Tarantino's use of light and shadow models the pitcher's volume, emphasizing its curves and imperfections. The blue floral decorations and crude hatch marks, stand out against the greyish surface, creating a visual rhythm that destabilizes the clear distinction between the decorative and the structural. The materiality of the pitcher itself – its rough texture and evident wear – speaks to its history of utility, while Tarantino’s artistic rendering elevates it to a subject of aesthetic contemplation. This interplay between form and function, representation and reality, challenges our understanding of value and meaning in art. The drawing invites ongoing interpretation, urging us to find beauty in the mundane and to question fixed categories of art and life.