Carved Oak Chair c. 1937

This is Florence Truelson’s ‘Carved Oak Chair’, made with watercolour, graphite, and coloured pencil on paper. It looks like an exploration of the intricacies of design, capturing the play of light and shadow across the carved wood. You can really get a sense of the physical qualities of the chair through Truelson’s rendering. There's the smooth curve of the armrests, the texture of the woven seat, and the ornate details of the back. Notice the subtle shifts in tone and hue, where she builds up the form with layers of coloured pencil and watercolour. The artist seems to relish the process of describing the object, delighting in the way a line can define a shape or a shadow can suggest depth. The chair is set against a blank background which emphasizes the object-like quality of the piece. It reminds me a little of the precision and attention to detail in the work of furniture designers like Charles and Ray Eames. Ultimately, this is an intimate study of form and texture. It invites us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of everyday objects. It reminds us that art is an ongoing conversation, full of unexpected connections and possibilities.