Shaker Table c. 1938

This gouache and watercolor painting on paper depicts a Shaker table by Alfred H. Smith. The whole thing glows with soft browns and tans. It's all about precision and care, which makes me wonder about Smith's relationship to the Shakers. He must have been so focused, rendering every detail, from the wood grain on the tabletop to the gentle curves of the legs. The Shakers were, of course, all about simplicity and utility. But you know, there’s a subtle beauty in their craftsmanship that this painting really captures. I can almost feel the smooth finish of the wood. Did Smith want to preserve a disappearing way of life? I’m thinking about other artists who found inspiration in everyday objects, like Charles Sheeler, whose crisp, clean lines gave humble objects a kind of heroic quality. There's a conversation between artists across time; a shared interest in the beauty of the mundane. It's an invitation to slow down and appreciate the simple things.