Settee 1935 - 1942

Frank Wenger created this detailed drawing of a settee, a long upholstered seat with a back and arms, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. The settee, with its solid, dark wood and symmetrical design, speaks to an era of industrial expansion and domestic formality. During this period, furniture became more than functional; it symbolized status and respectability. Consider the cultural values embedded in this object. It suggests a space for conversation, for families to gather, but also implies a certain social structure, where leisure and presentation were carefully managed. Wenger, through his meticulous depiction, invites us to consider how everyday objects reflect the societal norms of their time. While seemingly traditional, objects like these were slowly making way for new aesthetics brought about by industrialization and cultural shifts. It serves as a quiet reminder of the stories our furniture could tell, if only they could speak.