Bowl 1937

Here we see John Tarantino's watercolour of a 'Bowl', a piece whose creation was likely informed by the shifting cultural landscape of the 20th century. Tarantino, born in 1855, lived through a period marked by significant industrial and artistic revolutions. This era saw the Arts and Crafts movement pushing back against mass production, advocating for handcrafted, unique objects. The bowl, with its delicate form and translucent quality, speaks to a desire for beauty and refinement. The choice of rendering it in watercolor is particularly interesting, as it emphasizes the ephemeral nature of light and color. Does this bowl, rendered in soft purples, represent an escape from the stark realities of industrialization, a yearning for a simpler time? The bowl almost seems to glow, holding space for us to consider our own relationship with beauty and craftsmanship. What feelings does it evoke in you?