Sheraton Painted Three-Back Settee 1935 - 1942

This Sheraton Painted Three-Back Settee, made by an anonymous artist, whispers of early 19th-century charm. Imagine the artist, maybe working in a small, sunlit workshop. The careful strokes of pale green paint, like a fresh spring, coat the wooden frame. And then comes the delicate dance of tiny fruits – peaches, grapes – adorning the crest. The paint's so thin, almost translucent, giving it this dreamy quality. You can see echoes of folk art traditions here, a connection to the everyday life of the time. Maybe the artist was thinking about the families who would gather on this settee, sharing stories and laughter. Or maybe they were just enjoying the simple pleasure of making something beautiful with their hands. It reminds me of those early American samplers, a quiet rebellion against the grandiosity of academic painting. Artists are always in conversation with each other, across time and place, riffing on old themes and discovering new ways of seeing. It's a reminder that art is a process of constant questioning, of pushing boundaries and embracing the unknown.