Bride's Bureau c. 1941

Archie Thompson made this drawing of a Bride’s Bureau, we don’t know exactly when, using what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper. The artist builds up the forms with such control and precision, yet there's a softness to the palette of browns, greys and whites that makes the whole thing feel so approachable. Look at the way Thompson renders the wood grain. It’s almost like abstract expressionism, swirling marks of ochre and umber that describe the texture of the wood while also creating this visual dynamism. The marble top is rendered with the same delicate hand, soft greys and whites blending together to create an atmospheric effect. It’s like the whole piece is breathing! It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s work, the way she used subtle variations in tone and texture to create these quietly powerful images. Like Martin, Thompson finds beauty in the everyday, elevating the mundane to something profound. The piece isn’t about accuracy; it's about a feeling, a memory, a dream of home.