Side Chair 1936

This watercolor painting of a side chair was made by Harry Eisman, though we don’t know exactly when. The colors are simple: shades of brown wood, straw yellow, and a neutral backdrop. There's something so matter-of-fact in the way it's rendered; it reminds me of technical drawings. Look closely, and you’ll see a careful attention to detail in the chair's construction. The textures of the woven seat and backrest are described with such clarity that you can almost feel them. The curves and embellishments of the wood frame give it an almost cartoonish character. I'm reminded of some of the work of contemporary artist, Jennifer Paige Cohen. Like Eisman, Cohen is interested in furniture and our relationship to domestic space. Both artists seem to suggest that everyday objects can be just as meaningful, and just as strange, as the people who use them.