Settee 1935 - 1942

Ralph Morton made this drawing of a rocking chair settee, but the date is not known. It’s amazing how a simple thing like a settee can have so much story to tell, isn't it? I can imagine Ralph, pencil in hand, carefully drafting each line, each curve. He probably paused now and then, tilting his head, trying to capture just the right angle of the rocker. What was he thinking about? Maybe the way light hit the wood or how it feels to sit on one of those things? The dark hue of the wood feels solid, like a dependable hug. Those floral decorations? A sweet touch! They make me think of folk art where every detail matters. I bet Ralph knew how to make a chair, and what it means to feel grounded. These images, though, are also useful for manufacturers, so that they can make replicas. Was this his intention? Looking at this drawing makes me think about all the other artists who've drawn chairs, each adding something new. It's like a big conversation that never ends.