Aarden kruik 1847 - 1880

This earthenware jug was drawn by Johan Conrad Greive. Notice the level of detail. Though it is just an image on paper, you can almost feel the jug's weight. The artist has created a drawing that displays a stunning eye for materiality. The jug's ring shape is typical of flasks designed to be carried on the body, perhaps while working. Unlike a delicate glass vessel, this jug is robust, meant to be used and refilled. The coats of arms and ornamentation, however, suggest this isn’t an ordinary worker’s water bottle. It may be something like a commemorative piece, perhaps a prize. Ultimately, the drawing serves as a reminder that even everyday objects can be beautifully crafted, reflecting layers of meaning through their material presence. It blurs the lines between the functional and the decorative, challenging traditional distinctions between craft and fine art.