Hand-carved Armchair c. 1937

This hand-carved armchair was painted by Gerald Transpota, and it is hard not to imagine him in front of the real thing, brush in hand, carefully trying to capture its essence. I can almost feel the texture of the wood, the intricate carvings on the chair's frame, and the softness of the patterned cushions. The artist probably studied the light as it hit the surface, trying to figure out how to describe the three-dimensionality of the object. The brushstrokes are delicate, almost reverent. I wonder what Gerald was thinking as he painted this chair? Was it just a recording exercise, or was he drawn to the history and craftsmanship embedded in the object? There is definitely an element of love and care here, like when you spend hours painting something, and it’s not just about the end product, it’s about the whole experience. It’s about being present, lost in the act of seeing and translating.