Side Chair 1950

Louie H. Ewing made this watercolor painting of a side chair; its date remains unknown. Ewing’s choice of subject matter offers a glimpse into the culture of the time. A side chair, a seemingly mundane object, speaks volumes about domestic life, craftsmanship, and social class. It's easy to overlook the significance of everyday objects. However, by focusing on a common piece of furniture, Ewing invites us to consider the value we place on utility, simplicity, and tradition. Was it a conscious reflection on American values during a period of rapid industrialization and social change? As historians, we can look to period advertisements, furniture catalogs, and social commentaries to understand the chair's place in society. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.