Batter Jug c. 1938

This Batter Jug by John Tarantino is a watercolour painting. It's got this muted palette, mostly browns, blues, and greys, making it feel earthy and solid. Imagine Tarantino, back then, probably with a real batter jug in front of him. What's he thinking as he tries to capture the light bouncing off the metal lid or how the blue flower pattern curves around the jug's belly? The watercolour is thinly applied, almost transparent in places, giving it a delicate, aged look. The details, like the wood grain on the handle, suggest a real appreciation for the object's handmade quality. That single, almost clumsy, brushstroke defining the edge of the spout – to me, it speaks volumes. It’s not just about replicating an image, but about the feel of the thing, its weight, its history. In his wider practice I imagine he studied still life a lot. This work makes me think of the painters who came before him. It feels as if all artists are constantly looking at, and learning from each other’s works. Ultimately, this Batter Jug embodies a form of expression, full of ambiguity, inviting multiple interpretations.