Duncan Phyfe Sofa c. 1937

This watercolour painting of a Duncan Phyfe Sofa was made by Edward L. Loper, and it feels like a blueprint, but softer. The color palette is muted, with a gentle combination of blues, browns, and creams which gives a warm feeling, like seeing something familiar through a hazy lens. Look at the way Loper renders the stripes on the sofa. They're not perfect; they waver and blend which gives a real sense of the hand in the work. The legs of the sofa end in gold-leafed furry paws that are rendered with such detail. This gives the piece its grounding. It's like the artist is saying, "I see you, you’re a fancy couch, but you're still an animal underneath." The slight imperfections throughout the piece create a unique rhythm that highlights the artmaking process. It's like a visual diary of decisions made, changed, and reconsidered. It reminds me a little of Fairfield Porter, but maybe with a touch more whimsy. Art's a conversation, right?