Secretary Desk c. 1936

Curator: I’m immediately struck by the serene domesticity of this object. It's rendered with such meticulous care and a gentle, almost longing gaze. Editor: That’s an interesting point. What you’re observing is "Secretary Desk," a circa 1936 watercolor by Eugene Croe. It portrays a rather standard piece of furniture, yet the execution gives it this heightened quality. Curator: The almost Gothic arches of the upper cabinet draw the eye upward. One immediately thinks of cathedral windows or other portals to a sacred space. But placed in the home like this, does it suggest something about domestic life as a form of sanctuary or worship? Editor: That’s a potent reading. Visually, I wonder if Croe's choice of watercolor contributes to that softer, dreamlike feeling. It definitely deviates from the kind of cold objectivity we see celebrated in design drawings of that era. Perhaps Croe's intention was less about accurately representing furniture than about conveying a mood. The execution of those columns seems to mirror one found in many traditional and sacred buildings. Curator: There’s an appealing nostalgia here, isn't there? The furniture design itself feels rooted in an older time, which perhaps gave Croe the feeling of looking into a softer and kinder past. Maybe the intent was to offer an optimistic message during the hardship that was still affecting much of the world in the late 30s? Editor: Possibly, the symbolism acts as a visual balm, comforting in its familiarity, referencing traditions. While acknowledging past styles, Croe presents a timeless, serene interpretation through his watercolor technique and unique take on Gothic elements. Curator: The artist almost asks us to bring forward a sense of familiarity from our cultural memory. Editor: Precisely. The drawing blends modern appreciation with echoes of tradition, and that really brings the viewer a gentle sense of balance.