Table (Drop-leaf) c. 1936

Bernard Gussow made this drawing of a drop-leaf table with what looks like watercolor or gouache on paper. I’m immediately drawn to the symmetry of the table’s structure, its elegant legs that go on for miles! I can imagine Gussow carefully building up the layers of color, starting perhaps with a light wash and gradually adding darker tones to define the edges and create depth. I bet they were thinking about the craft that went into the making of the table and wanting to document it. I like how the warm wood tones contrast with the cool, neutral background. It’s a really interesting way to highlight the object's form and texture, almost like a ghostly memory. I can see how this quiet drawing speaks to the tradition of still life painting, where everyday objects become vehicles for contemplation and reflection. It’s also reminiscent of the technical drawings made by the Shakers. Anyway, this painting reminds us that artists are always in conversation with one another, drawing inspiration from the past while forging new paths forward!