Blue Porcelain I is a fine example of the latter, reflecting Jaco Benade’s accomplished rendering and keen eye for light and contrast. Despite the relatively straightforward subject matter, there is an emotional complexity to the painting, a lingering sense of melancholy, and even nostalgia. The interplay between the warmth of the light hitting the scene from the left and the sombre weight of the shadows creates an emotionally ambiguous space that Benade leaves to the viewer to interpret and unpack.