Armchair 1901 - 1904

This is a wooden armchair, made by J. S. Ford, Johnson and Company. When I look at this, I imagine the artist going back and forth, testing the limits of a material, here wood, seeing where he can push it to its limits. It's got these beautifully curved arms, and I can imagine the artist working, shaving down the wood, feeling its texture, trying to get it just right. The choice of material gives it a warm feel, but the overall structure is quite formal, and solid. I'm drawn to those cut-out shapes in the arms, like little eyes peeking out. It reminds me that art, even functional art like this, is about seeing the world in new ways.