Carver Armchair 1935 - 1942

Charles Squires created this study of a Carver Armchair with watercolor and graphite. The drawing centers on the chair’s structure, rendered with careful attention to its simple, functional design. Notice how the composition emphasizes the chair’s geometric form, a play of vertical and horizontal lines creating a sense of stability and order. Squires' choice of a muted palette, with soft browns and a splash of green on the cushion, invites us to consider the chair not just as a piece of furniture but as an object of contemplation. The chair embodies a structuralist approach, where its function dictates its form. The chair may challenge fixed meanings by inviting us to reflect on the value of simplicity and craftsmanship in a world increasingly dominated by mass production. It encourages an appreciation for the inherent beauty in functional design.