High Chair c. 1936

Elizabeth Curtis rendered this watercolor, “High Chair,” capturing a simple, functional object elevated to a symbol of nascent life. The chair itself, with its woven seat and turned wooden posts, speaks of domesticity and the everyday rituals of family life. Consider the chair not merely as a piece of furniture but as a stage – a theatrum for early childhood experiences. It’s reminiscent of the ‘cathedra,’ the bishop’s chair, a seat of authority and teaching. Here, the child, though not physically present, is implicitly enthroned, presiding over their own small world. This imagery connects to broader cultural themes of nurturing and guidance that echo across different eras. The act of elevating a child, both literally and figuratively, appears throughout history. Think of Renaissance paintings where the Madonna’s throne symbolizes her divine role, or ancient Egyptian depictions of pharaohs carried on litters. The high chair, in its own humble way, is part of this tradition. In this image we see how simple domestic objects are laden with emotional and cultural meaning, connecting us to the primal experiences of nurturing, growing and learning.