Basement of Urban House, 1910 c. 1947

Perkins Harnly's "Basement of Urban House" (c. 1947) is a watercolor painting depicting a cluttered basement space filled with various tools and household items. The painting showcases the artist's meticulous detail in capturing the everyday life of a city dwelling in the early 20th century, with a focus on the utilitarian nature of the basement. It is an intimate look at the function and character of an otherwise overlooked space. The artist uses vibrant color and realistic detail to create a sense of lived-in history, inviting the viewer to imagine the stories held within these ordinary objects.