Chest c. 1938

This watercolor drawing of a chest was made by Frances Lichten, sometime during her lifetime. It's one of those quiet works that speaks volumes about pattern, folk art, and the love of simple things. I love the rhythmic repetition of the floral motifs on the chest’s front, each contained within its little arch, like a stage for a tiny performance. It's hard not to think about the hand that carefully painted each petal and curve. I can imagine Frances Lichten carefully considering the placement of each stroke, trying to balance symmetry with the charm of slight imperfections. I see Lichten's chest and it reminds me of other artists who found inspiration in everyday objects and vernacular traditions. There’s something beautiful in her dedication to capturing this object, elevating it through art. It’s like she’s saying, "Look at this, see the beauty in the handmade, in the everyday." We artists are all in conversation with each other, riffing on ideas, passing them on to the next generation.