Settee c. 1936

Harry Eisman made this drawing of a Settee, sometime between 1855 and 1995 using watercolor, graphite, and maybe a little bit of ink. It’s a real celebration of the basics – lines, shapes, and the way light plays on a surface. Looking closely, you can see how Eisman builds up the form of the settee with layers of transparent washes. It's like he’s letting the light itself define the curves and edges of the wood. Notice the dark graphite lines tracing the edges of the panels on the back of the settee. They're not just outlines; they give the whole piece a sense of depth and definition. This drawing reminds me of the precision of Agnes Martin, but with a warm, homely touch. It shows how much can be expressed through careful observation and a love for the materials. It’s not just about representing a settee; it’s about understanding how we see and experience the world around us.