Serving Table c. 1938

Edward Loper made this drawing of a 'Serving Table' with what looks like watercolors or gouache, and I can imagine him delicately rendering the smooth surface of the wood with soft, even strokes, maybe using thin washes to build up the color. I wonder what Loper was thinking about while he was creating this work? I bet he was interested in the curves and angles of the table's design, how the legs taper so elegantly, and how the little flourishes on the sides add a touch of whimsy. It reminds me of other artists who explore design and form, like the Shaker artists whose furniture had the same commitment to elegant simplicity. Painters are always inspiring and borrowing from each other, it’s a conversation across time. What I love about painting, and what Loper shows us here, is that even in depicting something as functional as a table, the artist can bring their own sensibility to the work. It’s a form of expression that’s both embodied and thoughtful, open to many interpretations and possibilities.