Drop-Leaf Table 1936

Henry Granet made this drawing of a drop-leaf table, we don’t know exactly when, with some kind of pen and ink and watercolor. The marks are delicate, almost tentative, like Granet is trying to feel his way into the form of the table. I like the way the lines are a little wobbly, not perfectly straight, which gives it a kind of charming, handmade quality. The color palette is pretty limited, mostly browns and tans, but there's a real attention to the wood grain. You can almost feel the smoothness of the wood under your fingertips. I’m particularly drawn to the way Granet renders the shadows, they are so subtle and delicate, they give the table a real sense of depth and weight. You can see the individual brushstrokes, the way the watercolor bleeds and blends into the paper. It's not about hiding the process but celebrating it. There’s something about this piece that reminds me of Fairfield Porter, in the way he captures the quiet beauty of everyday objects. It’s a reminder that art doesn’t always have to be loud or flashy, sometimes the most powerful works are the ones that invite us to slow down and appreciate the simple things in life.