Tea Table c. 1936

Nicholas Gorid made this drawing of a table, sometime between 1855 and 1995, in pencil and watercolor. The colors are restrained, almost muted, but the artist is playful with the textures he evokes, contrasting the smooth surface of the tabletop with the more ornate and articulated details of the legs. You can see the hand of the artist in the way the watercolor bleeds and blends, giving the piece an intimate feel, like you are peering into the artist's studio. Look closely at the legs of the table, where the artist uses layers of thin, transparent washes to build up the form. It is a lovely example of the ways that art can be a conversation between the artist and the materials they use, a dance between control and chance. This emphasis on process reminds me of the work of Josef Albers, particularly his exploration of color relationships, maybe Gorid was looking at him too? Ultimately, this piece celebrates the act of seeing and making, inviting us to consider the beauty of everyday objects.