Salt Cellar 1935 - 1942

John Tarantino's "Salt Cellar" presents us with a study in form and color, rendered with meticulous attention to detail on canvas. A striking blue object, geometrically constructed with a circular base, a fluted body, and a rim, dominates a muted, rectangular backdrop. The painting explores the interplay between the object and its representation. The deep blues and subtle whites suggest a semiotic dance between the tangible and the ideal. Tarantino uses this structure to engage with the artistic discourse around the sign and the signified. The texture of the canvas itself, visible beneath the paint, further complicates this relationship, reminding us of the artwork's materiality. Ultimately, the “Salt Cellar” can be interpreted as a reflection on the act of seeing itself. The way the artist uses light and shadow invites us to consider how our perception is shaped by form, color, and texture. It reveals a deep meditation on how simple objects embody complex meanings within the structure of artistic representation.