Wine Cask c. 1936

Yolande Delasser painted this "Wine Cask" probably with watercolors and pencil on paper. I imagine she was trying to figure it all out on the page, moving things around, rubbing things out, until she was satisfied. Looking at the barrel, I think how utilitarian objects get elevated when they are decorated. Fish, birds, squiggles like waves—a whole world appears. See how the texture of the cask is built up of layered strokes? The dark lines create this sense of depth. It's like she's exploring how surface and form come together. The painting has a lightness that suggests it was a study or a sketch. But it’s also kind of monumental and still. Maybe Delasser was looking at folk art or pottery when she made this. Painting often works like that, taking cues from everywhere. It’s a constant conversation across time and images!