Sofa c. 1953

Ernest Busenbark made this watercolour painting of a sofa, but we don't know exactly when. You know, when I look at this piece, I feel a sense of quiet determination. I mean, painting a sofa sounds boring, right? But actually, the artist is going for it, mapping out all those tricky curves, all those linear details and tonal variations. I can imagine Busenbark completely absorbed in the task. The blue of the upholstery is so restful, it almost makes me want to lie down. It's like he's saying, "Even the most ordinary things can be beautiful if you really look." I think he would have enjoyed the work of someone like Fairfield Porter, another painter of domestic space. Ultimately, painting is a conversation with the world and with other artists. We all bring something unique, but we're also part of something bigger. Busenbark’s sofa reminds us to find joy in the everyday, to embrace the simple and appreciate the beauty all around.