Sofa Table c. 1939

This "Sofa Table" was made with watercolor by Francis Borelli, sometime between 1855 and 1995. Look at the way the brown and red watercolor washes build up the form of the table, layer upon layer, to give a translucent and almost reflective quality to the wooden surface. I love the thinness of the paint, how it allows the paper to breathe, and the way Borelli uses delicate lines to define the edges and details of the table. Notice the little lion heads, painted with such care. It seems like a study in observation and detail, much like the drawings of furniture and interiors by artists like Edward Hopper. There's an attentiveness in the way he has observed the world, a quiet and personal meditation on the objects that surround us. This piece reminds me of the ongoing conversation between artists across time, each finding their own way to capture the beauty and complexity of the world around us. There's so much in this one table.