Dear Fay…

Jack Earl, Dear Fay..., 1984, painted ceramic, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick, 1993.54.3
Copied Jack Earl, Dear Fay..., 1984, painted ceramic, 20 3420 1217 12 in. (52.752.144.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick, 1993.54.3

Artwork Details

Title
Dear Fay…
Artist
Date
1984
Dimensions
20 3420 1217 12 in. (52.752.144.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of KPMG Peat Marwick
Mediums
Mediums Description
painted ceramic
Classifications
Keywords
  • Animal — dog
  • Landscape — tree — pine tree
  • Portrait female — unidentified — Fay
  • Object — tool — water pump
Object Number
1993.54.3

Artwork Description

This simple scene of a young woman standing on a sloping grassy hill is made more complex by the long title that Jack Earl has engraved in it: "Dear Fay, I saw you in church Easter, and thought you looked real nice. If it is alright with you I would like to sit next to you next Sunday. Yours truly, Jack Earl." This piece portrays the artist's wife as a young girl, whom he met when her family moved to his town. Sitting at Fay's side is a dog, an animal that is often present in Earl’s ceramic scenes and that he sculpts to look more lifelike than the people.