Plantentafel 1910 - 1927

This plant table was made by E.G.C. Schubad, and it now lives at the Rijksmuseum. The muted palette speaks of natural wood. But it’s more than just a colour choice; it’s about the rawness, the honesty of the material, and it speaks to the entire process. Look closely, you can see the grain of the wood; feel how it moves, its texture. The light catches the surface, revealing subtle imperfections, like tiny marks and subtle discolorations. These are traces of the maker's hand. I’m drawn to the rounded feet. They're such a simple detail, but they soften the overall form, giving it a playful character. This piece reminds me a little of the work of Donald Judd, in that it uses simplicity to make us notice form, texture, and the relationship between objects and space. Art’s like a big conversation, right? Each artist listening, responding, and adding their own voice. It’s more of a "maybe" than a "definitely", and that's okay. That’s where the fun begins.