Chest c. 1938

Margery Parish made this watercolour painting of a chest at an unknown date. The dark, brooding wash of color suggests an old, well-loved object. It reminds me of the kind of furniture you find in a great aunt's house - solid, dependable, maybe a bit worn around the edges. I can imagine Parish studying every detail, from the slight curve of the lid to the delicate starburst patterns inlaid on the front. It’s as though the piece is emerging slowly, thoughtfully. What was Parish thinking about as she painted this? Was she interested in the chest's history, the hands that crafted it, or the secrets it might hold inside? Those little gold decorations feel like a hopeful note against the solid darkness of the wood. The painting has an honesty, a quiet dignity, that makes you appreciate the beauty of everyday things. It feels like Parish is reminding us to look closely, to find the extraordinary in the ordinary.