Wardrobe c. 1939

Lee Brown made this drawing of a wardrobe, we don't know exactly when, but it's rendered in such a way that the process is foregrounded, maybe even celebrated. Look at the way Brown coaxes out the wood grain with these delicate, almost hesitant marks. It’s like they’re feeling their way across the surface, mapping its contours. The colors are muted, a symphony of browns and tans, but within that limited range, there’s a surprising depth. The shadows aren't just dark patches, but complex areas of layering, where you can see how each stroke builds on the one before. It's this layering that gives the wardrobe its volume. I'm reminded of the drawings of Fairfield Porter, though perhaps a bit more understated. Both artists share an interest in the quiet beauty of everyday objects. Brown is reminding us that seeing is an active process, a conversation between the eye and the world.