Hanging Closet c. 1940

Ernest A. Towers Jr. rendered this closet with watercolor, encapsulating the essence of functional design through simple, enduring forms. The closet, a humble piece of furniture, carries within it the weight of domestic life. The door ajar reveals a glimpse into the concealed, sparking curiosity. This recalls the Greek myth of Pandora's box. The closet’s simple latch and hinges, repeated motifs across cultures and eras, echo the basic human need for order and security. The raw texture of the wood, carefully rendered by Towers, reminds us of the natural world, where we once sought shelter in the hollows of trees. This transformation of nature into an artifact, a symbol of protection and the storing of precious objects, transcends time. We see it echoed in Egyptian sarcophagi and medieval reliquaries, each holding its treasures. The closet is more than a mere container, it is a keeper of secrets, a silent witness to the dramas of everyday life. Like the ever-turning wheel of history, the simple act of storing and securing repeats itself, each time with a new story to tell.