Child's Rocking Chair c. 1939

Florence Grant Brown made this little rocking chair drawing sometime in the 20th century, and there's a delicate sort of precision to the way the watercolor washes have been applied. I'm drawn to how the colors are so muted, almost ghostly. It feels like looking at a memory. The woven seat is wonderfully rendered, each strand and knot given attention, but the overall effect is one of gentle fading. Notice the tiny details, like the finials atop the back posts, carefully delineated but not overstated. There's something about the humility of this piece that resonates with me. It reminds me of the work of Charles Burchfield, an artist who found endless inspiration in the everyday, elevating simple subjects through careful observation and quiet contemplation. Like so much great art, it shows us how much beauty can be found in the overlooked corners of the world. It reminds me that art doesn't have to shout to be heard.