Table c. 1953

Frederick Jackson made this drawing of a table, and what strikes me first is how he uses these thin, deliberate lines to build up a solid form. The color palette is so simple, browns, and creams, but the way he layers the tones gives it a real sense of depth. Looking closely, you can see the care he took with the surface of the wood, mimicking the grain and texture with his marks. There's a lovely contrast between the smooth planes of the tabletop and the more detailed, almost baroque, legs. It’s as if the table is standing proud. It reminds me of some of Agnes Martin's quieter pieces, where she achieves so much with a minimal palette and a focus on the subtle variations of the grid. Jackson shows us the beauty of everyday objects, inviting us to look again, to see the world with fresh eyes.