Banister Back Chair 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, this is Henry Murphy’s "Banister Back Chair," drawn between 1935 and 1942. It's a simple pencil drawing on paper, almost photorealistic in its depiction of this rather humble chair. What initially strikes me is how such a mundane object is given this formal treatment. What do you see in it? Curator: It’s fascinating how the seemingly mundane can reveal larger societal currents. Considering the period, the late 1930s and early 40s, this meticulous rendering of a common object takes on new significance. What public institutions do you think might have supported an artist creating this kind of detailed study of an everyday chair? Editor: Well, during that era, the WPA comes to mind. Were artists tasked with documenting aspects of American life, even something as simple as a chair? Curator: Precisely! Think about it: The WPA aimed to provide economic relief, yes, but also to create a cultural record. These detailed renderings helped create a national archive, almost a visual inventory, documenting material culture during a tumultuous period. It elevates this simple chair, doesn't it, giving it a historical weight it might not otherwise possess? Editor: It definitely does. So, it's not just a chair; it represents a conscious effort to preserve and perhaps idealize a certain vision of American life during the Depression era? Curator: Exactly. Consider how the 'academic art' style, combined with the subject, speaks to a yearning for stability, tradition, and even perhaps a simpler past during times of immense social change and uncertainty. Even the choice of a "banister back" design connects us to a longer history of vernacular design. Editor: That’s given me a new perspective. I was initially focused on its aesthetic qualities, but you’ve revealed a whole layer of historical and political context I hadn’t considered. Curator: That’s the power of art history! It teaches us to look beyond the surface and understand how socio-political forces shape both the production and reception of even the most ordinary objects.