Slat-back Chair c. 1936

George Kirschner created this watercolor and graphite drawing, titled "Slat-back Chair," sometime in the 20th century. The composition is immediately striking for its analytical approach, presenting the chair in three distinct views—a primary perspective, a side profile, and a scaled elevation. Kirschner's use of line and form is precise, almost architectural, emphasizing the chair's structure. The warm brown hues of the wood contrast gently with the neutral background, grounding the object while allowing its shape to define the space around it. The chair is depicted not just as furniture, but as a study in design, breaking down its form into component parts, each rendered with careful attention to detail. This work invites us to consider the relationship between utility and aesthetics, between the object itself and its representation. Kirschner prompts us to see beyond the functional purpose of the chair, appreciating it as a designed object and a cultural artifact.