Card Table 1936

Jack Carr, who lived an impressively long life, made this plan for a card table, likely in 1936. It’s a lovely drawing; a bit technical, with all the measurements, but also so free and intuitive. You can almost feel the hand moving across the paper. I love the way the table is represented from different angles, like a Cubist painting. It’s not just a representation of an object, but an exploration of form and space. Look at the open top, how it curves and extends into the surrounding area. It's like Carr is thinking out loud, letting us into his process. The marks aren't precious; they're about figuring things out. There is a sense of playfulness and curiosity that is contagious. This drawing reminds me of early technical drawings, but the hand-drawn nature also lends it a folk-art quality. It’s not perfect or precise, but it’s full of character. Maybe that’s what makes it so appealing, and that’s what art can be at its best.