Chair c. 1937

This delicate, somewhat faded watercolor painting of a chair was made by John Sullivan, who lived from 1855 to 1995. Look at those subtle gradations of brown that suggest the smooth curves of the chair's legs and back. I can almost feel the artist, carefully mixing shades to capture the light playing on the wood, and the muted greens and yellows of the seat. You know, painting a simple object like a chair can be deceptively difficult. It demands a certain kind of attention, a quiet observation. I wonder if Sullivan was interested in pattern design? Or maybe he just wanted to see it against a plain, cream-colored background. Either way, there is something soothing about the chair that invites contemplation, inviting you to imagine the countless people who have sat on similar chairs throughout history.