Pa. German Table c. 1938

Frances Lichten made this watercolour and graphite painting of a Pa. German Table sometime in the 20th century. I can just imagine Lichten carefully mixing her colours, coaxing out these warm browns and creams, building up the form of the table with delicate strokes. There’s a real tenderness to the way she captures the light on the wood, you know? She really sees the object. The colour harmony is just so soft and warm. I like to think Lichten found beauty in the everyday, maybe she was intrigued by the craftsmanship of this simple piece of furniture, and saw in its form and function something worth preserving on paper. It feels like she wanted to really understand the object, maybe honour the skills of the original makers. Artists like Lichten are in conversation with the past, drawing inspiration from the world around them and transforming it through their own unique vision. There's no right way to view this, or any artwork. It's all about what it sparks in you.