Armchair 1936

Elizabeth Curtis made this drawing of an armchair, using delicate watercolor. The way the stripes and tiny floral details are rendered suggests a process of careful observation, each mark building up a sense of volume and texture. It feels like Curtis really took her time with this piece. The painting’s surface is smooth, but you can still see the gentle variations in color, where Curtis layered washes of paint to create depth. I am drawn to the way the light hits the armrests, creating a subtle contrast that gives them a rounded, tactile quality. It’s a small detail, but it brings the whole piece to life. The painting reminds me of the work of Fairfield Porter, who also had a knack for finding beauty in the everyday. Like Porter, Curtis invites us to slow down and appreciate the simple pleasures of life, like a comfy chair. And just like a good painting, a good chair can be a place of refuge, a space for contemplation, and a reminder that sometimes, the most profound experiences are found in the most ordinary things.