Bathroom 1935 - 1942

Perkins Harnly’s "Bathroom," is an evocative watercolor that invites us into an intimate, carefully constructed space. The composition is dominated by a checkerboard floor, establishing a rigid grid that contrasts with the room's opulent details. Harnly employs a balanced symmetry, positioning key elements like the bath and vanity to create a visually harmonious, almost theatrical set. The texture of the wood paneling and the delicate floral wallpaper suggest a tension between structural order and organic flourish. The artist teases with semiotic play. The screen with birds suggests a sense of freedom and the natural world, set against the confinement of the room. This interplay prompts a consideration of interiority versus exteriority, challenging fixed notions of domestic space. We are left to consider how Harnly uses formalism to explore a wider cultural discourse on privacy and display.