Love Seat c. 1940

Joseph Rothenberg made this watercolor painting, called 'Love Seat,' using paper and paint. Here, we see a highly ornamented chaise lounge rendered with close attention to its carved wood frame and plush upholstery. Notice how the watercolor medium is used to capture the textures of the materials it represents. Rothenberg's technique celebrates the craftsmanship involved in furniture making. The sinuous curves and botanical motifs suggest the hand of a skilled artisan, working in a tradition that values intricate detail and precision. Furniture like this would have been available to a privileged class. Although this painting is not a functional object, it reflects the aesthetic values and social hierarchies of its time. By focusing on the material qualities and making processes evident in the 'Love Seat,' Rothenberg invites us to consider the cultural significance of everyday objects and the labor that goes into their creation.