Ladderback Chair c. 1937

Editor: Julie Brush’s "Ladderback Chair," dating back to around 1937, is rendered beautifully in watercolor and drawing. I'm struck by its almost austere simplicity. It’s so direct. What do you see in it? Curator: This piece invites a wonderful quietude, doesn't it? I see a tribute to the everyday. Think about it - the humble chair, elevated. Brush, in choosing such a mundane object, invites us to really *see* it, to appreciate the craft. The textures sing! The warm russet of the wood against that sun-baked straw. I can almost feel the slightly scratchy texture of the seat. Do you find yourself drawn to that contrast too? Editor: Definitely! The contrast is so tactile, even just visually. It makes me think about the people who might have sat in that chair, maybe doing farm chores. Curator: Exactly! There’s a beautiful melancholy that permeates the seemingly simple scene. There’s a real dignity in it, isn't there? Editor: Absolutely. I'm looking at it in a whole new light now – less about just a chair, more about… everyday dignity, like you said. Thanks for that perspective! Curator: And thank you. It’s always rewarding to consider the artistry in our daily lives! A quiet meditation that leaves us feeling, if only for a moment, beautifully still.