Side Chair c. 1939

This 'Side Chair' was made by John Dana, though the date is unknown, probably with watercolor or gouache on paper. Look at the way the artist has created an image of an object, with careful attention to detail that feels at once precise and evocative, as a memory. The colours are muted, almost faded, with the deep red of the seat cushion contrasting against the wood of the frame. The texture is smooth, the paint thinly applied, allowing the paper's surface to subtly show through, like a veil, adding to the dreamlike quality. Zoom in on the legs, and see how the artist has described the carved details. It's almost as if the chair exists more as an idea or a symbol than as an actual functional piece of furniture. I am reminded of Edward Hopper, someone else who found beauty and poignancy in the quiet corners of everyday life, as if this was a sketch of an idea for a stage set. Ultimately, this work celebrates the beauty of observation, capturing the essence of a commonplace object and transforming it into a timeless image.