Jug c. 1936

Frank Fumagalli made this drawing of a jug with what looks like watercolor on paper, and it's just so simple and direct. The brown shades, the way they blend, it's all about process, about how the medium behaves. Look at the body of the jug, the way the brown is layered, almost like it's been rubbed in. You can see the texture of the paper coming through, which gives it this earthy, almost pottery-like feel. It's not about hiding the process; it's about letting the materials speak. And those two blueish flower details, like eyes, peering out, adding a touch of whimsy. Fumagalli’s Jug reminds me of Giorgio Morandi’s still lifes. Both artists share this intense focus on everyday objects, transforming them into something quietly monumental. But where Morandi uses muted tones and subtle compositions, Fumagalli brings a playful, almost folk-art sensibility. It's a reminder that art doesn't always need to shout; sometimes, it whispers.