Small Carved Chest c. 1939

This is Ralph Boyer’s ‘Small Carved Chest’, which he rendered in watercolor, though the date is unknown. Looking at the repetition and symmetry in the design, it’s clear that Boyer was interested in process, in the way that repeated marks create a visual rhythm, something like music on the surface of this little box. The texture here is everything. You can almost feel the grain of the wood, the way the pigment settles into the carved grooves, highlighting the artist’s hand. The red accents pop against the muted wood tones, drawing your eye to the ornate carvings. Each little flourish feels deliberate, imbuing the chest with a sense of personality. Notice how the artist allows the red to bleed slightly into the surrounding wood, softening the edges and creating a sense of depth. This work reminds me of the graphic quality of some of the Pennsylvania German folk art I’ve seen – so rich in symbolism and pattern. Like that tradition, Boyer embraces a kind of charming imperfection, where the beauty lies in the act of making itself.