Chair 1935 - 1942

Francis Law Durand created this elevation view of a chair, maybe with graphite on paper, back in the day. It's all about the lines, right? They map out a possible object, a proto-chair. The detail is so precise; you can feel the care in each stroke. Durand wasn't just drawing; he was thinking through form, function, and, dare I say, feeling. There’s a cool detachment to it, but also the intimacy of close observation. You get a sense of the artist pondering the nature of support, not just for a body but for an idea. Looking at the spot where the armrest curves— it’s like a question mark. It's not just about what’s there, but what could be. Thinking about Sol LeWitt’s wall drawings, or even some technical drawings by Leonardo, it’s like Durand is part of this ongoing conversation, playing with how we see and understand the world through the lens of art.