Chest c. 1938

Frances Lichten made this "Chest" with an attention to line and detail that really speaks to me. There's a lovely balance between the hard edges of the furniture and the delicate inlays. It feels like she approached the drawing as a craft, much like the chest itself. The warm browns of the wood are so comforting. Notice the way she used simple lines to give a sense of depth and volume. It’s like Lichten is describing the history held within the object. My eye is drawn to the floral inlay, a little burst of life against the wood grain, those tiny bugs crawling across the surface make it feel real and alive. It reminds me of Guston and his everyday objects with a touch of the absurd. This piece reminds me that art is an ongoing conversation, each artist building on the work of those who came before, embracing the beauty of imperfection and the joy of discovery.