Bishop Hill: Settee and Chest c. 1936

Curator: So, this intriguing piece is a drawing by Wellington Blewett, called "Bishop Hill: Settee and Chest," created around 1936. It appears to be rendered with charcoal, detailing the design for a piece of furniture. Editor: Right off the bat, I'm struck by the quiet competence of it all. There's a certain sturdiness suggested by the dark lines, and I can almost smell the wood. But also...it’s a little melancholy, don't you think? Like a memory. Curator: It is fascinating. The artist’s medium, the charcoal, contributes to that, yes. The composition features not only a detailed perspective view, but also a side elevation showing precise measurements, all adding a sense of documentation to what could have been purely artistic expression. It’s a blend of art and meticulous technical design. Editor: Absolutely, I see that duality. Visually, the eye travels along these straight lines that define its function as seating and storage and it's all beautifully grounded and simple. Does the style lend to an emotional understanding of its context? Curator: Well, this approach echoes the emphasis on functionality that was pervasive in the Bauhaus movement, but applied to a much more folksy context. It's as if Blewett is inviting us to appreciate the aesthetic within everyday utility, elevating a commonplace object through design. It certainly adds complexity to a rather humble wooden settee and chest. Editor: I like that - folksy Bauhaus. There's a comforting feeling that the wood finish evokes, and the choice of this simple color helps that. It feels like this settee and chest are both a functional design and, like I mentioned, a preserved memory of a cozy rural past. The design offers something for the home and something for the mind and memories. What a fine conversation piece this drawing itself is, actually! Curator: It really does. Thanks for sharing those ideas, this was great! Editor: Likewise! This was delightful.