Work Table c. 1937

Fred Peterson made this drawing of a work table sometime in the 20th century. The color palette is quite muted, mostly browns and tans, and you can really see the way the drawing was built up through layers. It looks like Peterson was fascinated by the textures in the table itself. The burled wood of the drawers and top, contrasted with the rope-like carving of the base, are rendered with a lot of loving detail. It's almost as if he's thinking through the object, stroke by stroke, figuring it out as he goes. I find myself focusing on the small details of the table's surface, the way the light reflects off the varnish, or the subtle shadows that define its form. It reminds me a little bit of furniture renderings from the Bauhaus, but with a more personal, handcrafted feel. Peterson’s drawing reminds us that art isn't about perfect representation; it's about engaging with the world around us, thinking through materials and processes, and ultimately, constructing our own unique perspectives.