Chest c. 1938

Henry Meyers made this watercolor painting of a chest, but when, we just don’t know. Look closely, and you see this isn't just a straightforward depiction of a piece of furniture. There's a softness in the way the wood grain is rendered, almost as if the chest is breathing. The artist's hand is evident in every stroke, celebrating the process of observation and the joy of bringing a familiar object to life on paper. I love the way he’s built up the shadows, creating depth and volume with layers of transparent color. It reminds me of the quiet beauty in everyday life. There’s something really satisfying about a work like this, a celebration of the handmade, echoing the Shaker aesthetic with its emphasis on simplicity and functionality. It’s a reminder that art can be found in the most unexpected places.