Settee c. 1942

This is Amos C. Brinton's "Settee", made with watercolor, gouache, and graphite. Looking at it, the approach to mark-making feels so tender. Each line seems carefully considered, and there’s this beautiful dance between precision and organic form. What strikes me is the quiet attention to detail, and the texture of the woven seat. It's not just about depicting a settee; it’s about capturing the essence of a handmade object. Think of that delicate weave – you can almost feel the roughness of the straw. The way the light catches on the surface, with those subtle shifts in tone, it's so evocative. It reminds me of Fairfield Porter, who also found beauty in the everyday. With Porter too, there’s this sense that painting is a form of quiet contemplation, a way of slowing down and really seeing the world around us. And isn't that what art is all about, ultimately? It’s not about answers but keeping the conversation open.