Jug c. 1937

Yolande Delasser painted this artwork of a jug with watercolor. On the surface, we see a bird perched delicately on a branch, its plumage rendered in subtle blue hues. The symbol of the bird, a motif recurrent throughout history, carries a rich burden of meaning, representing freedom, transcendence, and the soul's journey, just think of the Egyptian soul-bird, the 'ba'. Here, the bird is rendered on a vessel meant to contain and preserve, thus creating a stark contrast between the boundless spirit of the bird and the jug's utilitarian function. In ancient Greece, birds were often associated with prophecy and divine messages; in Christian iconography, they symbolize the Holy Spirit. Consider the migratory patterns of birds, their seasonal return, mirroring humanity’s own cyclical existence. These motifs aren't fixed; they are fluid, adapting to cultural shifts and evolving through collective memory. This Jug is more than just a still life; it is a profound exploration of cultural memory and symbolic evolution.