Boston Rocker 1940

Genevieve Sherlock’s drawing of a Boston Rocker, made sometime in the 20th century, has this great graphic quality, like a stenciled image, almost a logo, but rendered with such care. The simple silhouette is built up with layers of dark tones, creating depth and shadow. I love the way the surface catches the light, revealing the paper’s texture. There’s a kind of quiet hum in the contrast of the dark chair against the pale ground. And then there are the golden bands on the rocker's legs. It’s a beautifully observed, humble and quirky work, reminding me of some of the early American folk artists, like Joseph H. Davis, who found beauty in the everyday. Ultimately, it shows us that art can be found in the simplest of subjects, when approached with curiosity and a genuine love for the process. The Boston Rocker invites us to slow down, observe, and appreciate the beauty in the ordinary.