Table with Deep Drawer by Mattie P. Goodman

Table with Deep Drawer 1935 - 1942

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drawing, paper, watercolor

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drawing

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water colours

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paper

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watercolor

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academic-art

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watercolor

Dimensions: overall: 28.5 x 37.6 cm (11 1/4 x 14 13/16 in.) Original IAD Object: 28"high; 20"x26"top

Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0

Mattie P. Goodman, active in Richmond, Virginia, made this drawing using watercolor and graphite on paper. She depicted what appears to be a handmade table, likely constructed from a hardwood like maple or cherry. Notice how Goodman captured the wood's grain, suggesting the maker took care in selecting and joining these pieces. The straight, tapering legs and simple drawer pulls point to a vernacular approach to furniture making, a practice that existed outside the sphere of industrial production. This table likely represents a blend of utility and pride of workmanship. As an interpretation, this image invites us to consider the social context of handmade objects. Each cut, joint, and finish represents hours of labor and a connection to material. Goodman's drawing acknowledges these traditions, suggesting an alternative to mass production, and inviting reflection on the value of skilled work.

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