Baluster Back Chair c. 1936

Here we see Gerald Bernhardt's drawing of a Baluster Back Chair, an object rendered with simple materials and techniques. The chair’s baluster spindles immediately recall classical architectural forms; the columns of ancient temples, miniaturized and domesticated. But observe how these once-grand, load-bearing pillars have been repurposed for mere decoration and support of the human frame. The humble chair echoes the monumental, yet, stripped of its original, potent symbolism, it becomes a ghost of its former self. Consider the column’s presence throughout history, from Greek temples to Renaissance palaces – a symbol of stability, order, and power. Here, on the other hand, the baluster becomes a mere decorative element, a vestige of past grandeur. This illustrates the cyclical journey of symbols, constantly evolving, adapting, and acquiring new meanings across time. A powerful reminder of how cultural memory shapes and reshapes our world.