Bureau c. 1940

Rosa Rivero made this Bureau from the Index of American Design using graphite and watercolor. I love the way the texture of the wood is captured through the careful application of colour, giving the sense of how the material changes over time. The colour palette is beautifully muted, a range of browns and creams which give the object a warm, inviting feel. The application of the watercolor is thin and transparent, layering light washes to build up the image. This contrasts with the original physical object which is described in the metadata as 4'1" long; 2'6" wide; 1'11" deep. The original would have been heavy and solid, but here it is delicate and light. Look at the bottom edge of the bureau, where the wood curves – there is a playful quality to the mark making, a real sense of enjoyment. Rivero's Bureau is reminiscent of the work of Charles Sheeler, who explored the intersection of photography and painting. Both artists draw our attention to the beauty of everyday objects, reminding us that art is all around.