Writing Desk, Lap c. 1941

Curator: Mattie P. Goodman's "Writing Desk, Lap," drawn around 1941, offers such an intimate glimpse into a quieter world. The piece is rendered delicately in pencil. What’s your initial take? Editor: Well, I'm struck by the stillness, almost a frozen quality. It reminds me of an Edward Hopper painting but in miniature. A sort of lonely, self-contained object. Do you feel that same sense of isolation? Curator: I do, but I think that's partially the charm of it, you know? It feels so deeply personal, like a little world created for one. I imagine someone tucked away with their thoughts, secrets, and words, all held within this elegant wooden box. Almost like a hermit crab in its shell. Editor: It’s certainly symbolic of inward focus. The lap desk itself is a very specific piece of furniture. We no longer see it as common in the West because of the affordances of electric light—previously, working close to a window meant that writing or studying must be portable. Also, notice how this “desk” encourages one to bend over the page—almost a devotional posture. Curator: Exactly! A small chapel for thought. I find the textures fascinating too. The smoothness of the wood grain rendered so subtly alongside the softer, almost velvety texture of the writing surface. You can almost feel the object. And, for a piece that seems so quiet, the wood's coloration suggests almost hidden depths. What sort of symbolism would be present, with a rich cherry or mahogany? Editor: Historically, darker woods like mahogany were tied to luxury and permanence. They carried connotations of wealth and stability. And a hint, perhaps, of tradition—of wanting to align oneself with an educated, historically aware tradition. So, yes, there’s a tension there between private and public. Curator: So, we see what looks like such an isolated thing actually teems with social echoes. In her drawing, Goodman gives this otherwise forgotten object not only significance, but presence. Editor: I completely agree. This seemingly simple drawing invites us to consider the intimate spaces we create, both physical and mental, to nurture creativity and quiet reflection. Curator: And perhaps reminds us to value the tools that make such introspection possible.