Corner Cupboard c. 1936

Ferdinand Cartier drew this Corner Cupboard with graphite and watercolor, though we don't know exactly when. There’s something so charming about the way the artist has rendered the wood grain and the soft shadows inside the cabinet. It reminds us that artmaking is as much about the process as it is about the subject. I love the way Cartier uses watercolor to give the wood a sense of depth. The color is thin, but the way the lines are drawn emphasizes the shape of the material. The soft, almost hazy effect of the graphite inside the cabinet makes me want to peek inside. The shelves, rendered with such delicate lines, seem to float in space. The detail makes me think of Agnes Martin, whose subtle lines and colors create a world of quiet contemplation. Ultimately, this drawing is about more than just a cupboard. It's about seeing the beauty in the everyday, about the subtle pleasures of color and form, and about the way art can transform the way we experience the world around us.