Rocking Chair 1903

This rocking chair was made by Harvey Ellis, and is now held at the Art Institute of Chicago. At first glance, the rich brown wood and supple leather evoke warmth and comfort. However, the chair's appeal lies not just in its functionality but in the details of its construction. Notice the linearity of the structure. The vertical slats in the backrest are punctuated by stylized inlaid designs, drawing your eye upward. The lines throughout the chair are clean and confident, reflecting the Arts and Crafts movement's emphasis on craftsmanship and simplicity. This chair encapsulates a desire to return to handcrafted quality, a sentiment that sharply critiques the mass-produced aesthetics of the industrial age. The rocking chair embodies a cultural and philosophical yearning for authenticity and substance.