Secretary (Cabinet Top Desk) c. 1936

Editor: This is Rolland Livingstone's "Secretary (Cabinet Top Desk)," a watercolor drawing from around 1936. It looks like an architectural rendering. I’m immediately struck by the precision and detail in representing this piece of furniture. How do you interpret this work, especially considering its medium? Curator: Considering the meticulous watercolor application, this goes beyond simple representation. We see not just the 'what' of the desk, but a commentary on its production. It asks us to consider the materials used, likely fine hardwoods, and the labor invested in its craftsmanship. Note the implied opulence conveyed through details, balanced by the relatively humble medium of watercolor, itself a product of specific historical and social conditions. Editor: So you're saying the drawing style, which could be considered more utilitarian, juxtaposes the status usually associated with a secretary desk? Curator: Precisely. And it provokes us to analyze the intended consumer. Was this desk meant for mass production or tailored to a wealthier clientele? This rendering serves as both a plan and a statement. The deliberate choice of watercolor challenges a clear delineation between art and craft. We can view the desk’s components and imagine how its maker may have seen the potential owner enjoying it, even now. Editor: I see, it’s more about the conditions of the piece’s creation and intended use than the piece itself. This perspective offers a new lens for understanding this drawing! Curator: Exactly! We must be attentive to how cultural background, tools, resources and production shaped both object and image.