Settee 1936

Editor: So this is Charles Cullen’s “Settee” from 1936. It's a drawing done with colored pencils, and I'm immediately struck by the luxuriousness of the piece. The way the shadows are cast gives it an almost dreamlike quality. It feels like more than just a depiction of furniture; what are your thoughts? Curator: Dreamlike, yes! That's a delicious observation. To me, it feels almost theatrical. The exaggerated curves of the wood, the plushness of the cushions, it's all a bit over the top, isn't it? Almost like it’s a stage prop waiting for actors to recline upon it! What stories would unfold, I wonder, on such a flamboyant seat? Editor: Oh, that's a great way to think about it! The "stage prop" angle really sheds light on its grandness. But I’m wondering, does the drawing style itself contribute to that feeling? Curator: Absolutely! Notice how precise Cullen's lines are, yet how softly he renders the light? It's not quite photorealistic, but there's an intensity to the details that pushes it beyond a simple study. It’s almost like he’s inviting us to not just *see* the settee, but to *feel* the richness and texture. The colours pop almost whimsically. If you were to curl up there for an afternoon, what fantasies would arise in your mind? Editor: Okay, I am now thinking baroque fantasy and luxurious languor! Now, looking again, I also see how the drawing emphasizes line over, say, pure color or texture, to bring out form and caricature. Curator: Precisely! It's a dance between precision and suggestion, isn't it? A whisper of reality amplified by a touch of fantasy. What a perfect place to recline with a glass of wine. Editor: Definitely changed how I look at it! Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Now I will have a dream of baroque fantasy, languid repose, a chaise lounge and the rustling leaves. Until next time.