Settee 1936

This measured drawing, created in April of ‘36 by John Dieterich, offers a schematic of a settee, a silent blueprint of potential. I’m drawn to the way the artist has used line here. The crisp black outlines define the shape of the furniture, while the red lines boldly declare the dimensions. It’s a dance between precision and expression. The drafting feels so matter-of-fact, but then you look at the flourish on the legs and arms, and suddenly there’s this hint of playfulness, a wink from the artist's hand. That tension between structure and fluidity resonates with me. The meticulous approach, almost scientific, contrasts with the organic curves of the settee's design. It reminds me of artists like Agnes Martin, who found freedom within a grid, or Eva Hesse, who brought softness to severe forms. Art is a constant conversation. It’s never about the final answer, but about keeping the questions alive.