Fiddle-back Chair c. 1937

Edith Magnette drew this delicate ‘Fiddle-back Chair’ on paper using pencil. I really like this piece; it has a great sense of quiet observation. The chair is rendered with a soft, muted palette, focusing on subtle variations in tone to create form. The pencil lines are precise, yet there’s a gentleness in the shading that gives the chair a tactile presence. Look at the seat, it’s almost furry. It’s intriguing how Magnette captures the texture of the wood. The swirling patterns and delicate lines suggest a deep understanding of her subject. The whole image feels like a moment of quiet contemplation, an invitation to sit with the artist and truly see this everyday object. It reminds me a little of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes. Both artists share an ability to find depth and beauty in the mundane, transforming the ordinary into something extraordinary.