Platter - "Hospital, Boston" c. 1936

This platter, "Hospital, Boston", was made by Helmut Hiatt, who was born in 1855 and died in 1995. I love how the whole thing feels like a memory, softened and filtered through time. The black and white palette really pushes that feeling. The patterns around the edge remind me of wallpaper, and then the image itself in the middle is like looking out a window. There's this real flatness to the way Hiatt has created the image. But look at that building in the center, with its strong columns. It's got this weight and solidity, anchoring the whole scene. Then, your eye wanders over to the left where there is a ship. The way that Hiatt has rendered the masts they reach up beyond the scene, like it is trying to break free. This piece reminds me a little of folk art. It feels so intuitive. It’s as if Hiatt is just letting his hand lead the way, embracing the imperfections and allowing the image to just unfold.