"Casa en Mesita" or Chest on Stand c. 1939

Majel G. Claflin made this watercolor, Casa en Mesita, sometime before 1941. I wonder if they were sitting right in front of it, observing the beautiful carving. It’s like she built the form in front of us, stroke by stroke. The way the washes pool around the details, it feels like she's coaxing the image out of the paper itself. The chest almost seems to glow from within. I can almost feel the texture of the wood, worn smooth over time. I love the way the light catches on the carved details—each groove and curve rendered with such care. You know, painting objects like this has been a theme throughout art history, with artists like Morandi finding endless inspiration in humble, everyday objects. These painters see the world in such a contemplative way, and they invite us to slow down and really see.