Pomegranates & Grapes 1920 - 1925

William S. Rice pulled this image of pomegranates and grapes into being through the medium of printmaking. I can imagine him layering color upon color until the image, with its deep blacks, greens, reds, purples, and yellows started to appear, and a still life emerged on the paper. The artist's hand seems so present in the work, particularly in the black outlines, which remind me of Matisse, Rouault, or even early Guston. The fruit is piled high, almost spilling out, and there's a butterfly in the upper-left corner that seems to have just landed. I love the slightly wonky perspective of the bowl: it feels so real, and gives the image a sense of depth. There is an ongoing conversation between artists across time. We’re always looking and learning and taking. It is a form of embodied expression, embracing ambiguity and uncertainty, allowing for multiple interpretations.