Marble Top Table 1935 - 1942

George Nelson made this drawing of a table with what looks like colored pencils and graphite. It’s fascinating how a simple object can become a site of inquiry. I imagine Nelson, bending over the paper, trying to capture the light as it hits the curves of the table legs. Those legs, bending like they're about to dance, their shadows stretching out like long fingers—they feel like they are about to take on a life of their own. It is hard to make a drawing of something like this and I'm sure he struggled to get it right! Nelson is playing with the contrast between the cool marble top and the warm wood beneath. It's a study in balance, not just of form, but of color and texture. It's like he’s saying, "Here's a table, but it’s also an exploration of line, shadow, and material." That's what I love about painting and drawing – taking something ordinary and turning it into a question.