Table (Occassional) c. 1936

This technical drawing of a table, made by Francis Law Durand, captures a moment of design. It's all lines and angles, laid out on a pale ground. I wonder what Durand was thinking as he drew? Probably he had a table in mind. I imagine him considering every detail, every joint and curve. The drawing seems to invite us into his creative process, to collaborate, as it were. I like the way he’s mapped out the top-most section of the leg, showing how the curve meets the point. And how the ‘top elevation of legs and stretcher’ creates a kind of architectural plan, viewed from above. Durand's piece reminds me of other artists interested in architecture and design, like Agnes Martin, who found inspiration in simple geometric forms. It’s like he is showing us a conversation between form and function, where precision meets the potential for art. Durand, like all artists, contributes to an ongoing exchange of ideas across time, inspiring creativity and fresh interpretations.