Pa. German Plate c. 1937

This Pennsylvania German Plate was made by William L. Antrim, who lived a long life, from 1855 to 1995! The plate itself is a whirl of warm greens, browns, and reds. I imagine Antrim holding the plate, turning it slowly as he paints, building up the image petal by petal. I can almost feel the focused energy he poured into those painted tulips and spiraling flowers. You know, the way folk art often has this raw, direct emotionality? I wonder if he was thinking about his ancestors as he worked, carrying on traditions. The colors are earthy and rich, like they came straight from the Pennsylvania soil. It reminds me of how artists like Marsden Hartley found so much inspiration in the folk art traditions of America. There’s something so immediate and human about this kind of art-making. It's like a direct line to the artist's heart.