Jar c. 1936

Editor: This drawing, simply titled "Jar" by Yolande Delasser, circa 1936, appears to be made with colored pencil and watercolor. The jar has such a solid presence, doesn’t it? It seems both utilitarian and somehow quite elegant. What jumps out at you when you look at it? Curator: Immediately, the use of line commands my attention. Delasser has created a remarkably dimensional object through the precise manipulation of line weight and the subtle gradations of tone achieved through colored pencil and watercolor washes. Note the way the artist defines the cylindrical form through the strategic application of darker values. Editor: So, you're drawn to how she builds form. I hadn't thought about it that way, but you're right. How else does Delasser guide our eye? Curator: Consider the composition. The jar is centered, nearly filling the frame. This symmetrical arrangement anchors the image and lends it a certain gravity. And observe the supplementary rendering in the upper left corner, detailing the jar's handle. It reinforces Delasser’s close examination of her subject matter. Editor: That’s so true. I also see the way Delasser renders the texture of the ceramic in muted blues and tans; the subtle imperfections read almost as topographic map contours. What do you make of that? Curator: Precisely! Delasser expertly articulates a tactile experience. Furthermore, the inscriptions “Clark & Fox, Athens N.Y.” and the date "1837" are rendered with sharp detail, becoming integral components of the visual composition. They speak not only to the object's history but also to Delasser’s precise control over the medium. It shows how everyday things embody great artistic merit. Editor: I appreciate how you've made me consider the texture and composition, thank you! I see how she has truly transformed the ordinary.