“Stop and admire this earthenware jar's explosion of color and pattern. It merges traditional pottery with a modern, pop art sensibility, making it a unique and joyful object.”
This earthenware jar, created in 1998, immediately grabs attention with its vibrant, almost cartoonish style. A large, stylized face dominates the vessel, rendered in bold outlines and filled with a kaleidoscope of patterns and colors. The surface gleams in places, hinting at the gilt used in its creation, which adds a celebratory, almost luxurious feel to the piece. The jar's form is robust and rounded, a traditional shape transformed by a distinctly contemporary aesthetic that blends elements of pop art and cubism. This piece, with its energetic patterns and bright palette, embodies a playful spirit, inviting viewers to find joy in its unexpected fusion of traditional craft and modern design.
- Artist
- Romero Britto
- Date
- 1998
- Medium
- Earthenware with slip and gilt
- Location
- Art Institute of Chicago
- Dimensions
- 43.4 × 35.9 × 36 cm (17 1/8 × 14 3/16 × 14 3/16 in.)
- Collection
- Arts of the Americas
- Culture
- New Mexico
- Credit line
- Mrs. Leonard S. Florsheim, Jr. Fund
What to Notice
Five details hide in plain sight. Here’s where to look.

The large face on the jar, composed of geometric shapes and bold lines.
The intricate patterns filling each section of the face and the jar's body.
The way the gilt catches the light, adding a subtle shimmer.
The 'chongo' hairstyle, a prominent bun on top of the head.
1 more detail is waiting.
See all 5 in Art Whisper →Stand in front of it and listen
The full narration walks you through Jar with Chongo — the story behind it, the details most visitors miss, and why it matters. Free in the Art Whisper app.
Romero Britto
1963 · BrazilRomero Britto, the Brazilian neo-pop artist, transforms cubism and graffiti into vibrant expressions of joy, famously designing for Absolut Vodka and Disney.
Further Works by Britto
Portrait of General José Manuel Romero
Art Institute of Chicago
A Torso / Toxic Drawing
2011 · Art Institute of Chicago
Ray Yoshida Says Hi
2017 · Art Institute of Chicago
Jorge Romero Brest—Homenaje
1989 · Art Institute of Chicago
Pedro Romero killing the halted bull, plate 30 from The Art of Bullfighting
Art Institute of Chicago
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