Ottoman c. 1937

Here is Hugh Clarke's watercolor and graphite drawing of an Ottoman. Made during a time of growing industrialization, Clarke invokes traditional craftsmanship and decorative arts. The ottoman itself, often associated with comfort and domesticity, occupies an interesting intersection of gender, class, and culture. Ottomans were typically found in affluent homes, and were places where women were often confined. The floral design may represent beauty and fragility, traditional attributes of femininity. Clarke's detailed rendering suggests a longing for a pre-industrial past. He invites us to consider our complex relationship with both comfort and cultural heritage, and how they shape our identities.