Hitchcock Chair 1935 - 1942

Editor: Here we have the "Hitchcock Chair," a watercolor illustration from between 1935 and 1942 by Genevieve Sherlock. There's something almost melancholy about it, don't you think? Such an ordinary object, yet rendered with such quiet focus. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Melancholy, yes! It's the simple, humble beauty of the everyday captured with delicate precision. I feel an incredible stillness emanating from this chair. Look at the color palette: the deep black juxtaposed with that warm, almost honeyed, weave of the seat. It’s a dialogue between formality and rustic comfort, wouldn't you say? Editor: Definitely, and the precision is amazing, given that it's watercolor! The symmetry and starkness feel so intentional. What about the historical context? What might a Hitchcock chair have represented at the time? Curator: Well, these chairs were incredibly popular throughout the 19th century, known for their affordability and mass production. This image, created a bit later, hints at a sense of nostalgia, perhaps a longing for simpler times amidst the growing complexities of the modern world. The Great Depression was still lingering, so perhaps a longing for simpler times…a time when a basic chair felt like enough? What do *you* get from its placement centered on the page? Editor: Interesting, I hadn't considered the impact of the Depression era. To me, that placement creates a sense of isolation, almost as if the chair is on display, separate from its natural setting. Curator: Precisely! Or, perhaps, set apart *for* closer viewing, deeper reflection. Thanks! I'm looking at it in an all-new way. Editor: Agreed. It’s funny how a simple chair can spark such a rich conversation about history, memory, and our own relationship with the things we take for granted.