Secretary 1937

This is Bernard Krieger's "Secretary," a watercolor and graphite on paper drawing. I can imagine Krieger, pen in hand, carefully studying every curve and joint of the original secretary to capture its essence. I wonder, was he thinking about the person who might sit at it, writing letters or keeping secrets? The warmth of the wood is so inviting. I love the way the light catches the edges, giving it a soft, almost dreamlike quality. The careful rendering is interesting—there’s something so tender in the way he describes the object's form. I feel an echo of the Shaker aesthetic, maybe? He’s not just showing us a piece of furniture; he’s inviting us to appreciate the craftsmanship and the history embedded in it. I am so touched by Krieger’s intimate focus; he makes me want to pick up a brush and respond in kind! Artists are always in conversation, you know.