Bureau c. 1937

Ernest A. Towers Jr. rendered "Bureau" on paper, an unassuming medium, yet it presents a wealth of formal considerations. The symmetrical facade and dominant verticality of the mirror immediately draw our attention. Towers' technical drawing captures the design of a bureau by using line, color, and measured proportions. A study of its semiotic elements reveals the mirror symbolizes vanity, while the bureau is the keeper of secrets and personal items. The design adheres to the logic and structure of functional furniture, yet there is an interplay between practicality and representation. The drawing provides us with a glimpse of how formalism operates beyond fine art, informing even functional designs. This interplay between the practical and representational aspects of the piece leaves us to contemplate the function and meaning inherent in designed objects, blurring the boundaries between mere utility and artistic expression.