Twee bureaus 1895 - 1935

This image shows two studies of little desks, made by Léon Laroche. The colours are restrained, there's an almost faded quality to the palette, as if these drawings have been sitting in the sun for a long time. You can really see the hand in this, the way the artist has used the materials to create these intricate designs. Look at the desk on the right, and the way the artist has depicted the light reflecting off the glass. It's so simple, yet so effective. This isn’t just about showing what something looks like, it's about capturing the essence of it, the way light and shadow play across the surface. There is such care in the lines, the subtle shading, the way the artist has built up the image layer by layer. This plate reminds me of the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who shared a similar interest in furniture design. But above all, it underscores the fact that art doesn't always need to be loud or flashy. Sometimes, the most profound statements are made in the quietest of voices.