Pa. German Table c. 1941

Carl Strehlau made this watercolor painting of a Pa. German Table, sometime in the 20th century, using paper and paint as his primary materials. This work showcases an appreciation for vernacular design and historical craft traditions. The table itself, with its turned legs and scalloped apron, speaks to the skills of woodworkers, who typically employed hand tools. While Strehlau used watercolor, a traditional fine art medium, his choice to depict a piece of furniture elevates the everyday to the level of art. The process of rendering the table in paint invites us to consider the object’s form, texture, and the way it might have been used in a domestic setting. Ultimately, Strehlau's painting prompts us to reflect on the value we place on both handmade objects and the artistic representations of them, blurring the boundaries between art, craft, and everyday life.