Armchair 1940

Editor: This piece, simply titled "Armchair," was created around 1940 by Harry Eisman. It looks like it was made with pencil and maybe some watercolor or charcoal. I'm really drawn to the simple composition, the artist makes you see and appreciate an everyday object. How should we interpret this drawing of an armchair? Curator: Well, an image of an armchair, especially one rendered with such care and precision during the 1940s, asks us to consider its socio-political context. Who was being offered a seat, both literally and figuratively, during that period? What types of people have a space to rest and recover? It looks like it's crafted from wood. It might be interesting to consider this armchair's place, given rationing during war years. Editor: So, you're saying even a simple drawing of an armchair is making some commentary about power and place? Curator: Absolutely. The deliberate rendering of an object like this, one that signifies comfort and leisure, can't be separated from the social realities of the time. During wartime, who had access to such comforts? How might this image function as either aspirational or even subversive? Think about the intended audience, and who would even have the luxury to spend time looking at such images? Editor: I never thought of it that way, I was more concerned about form, light and material! I guess there's more to unpack from these images. I appreciate how this shifts my view. Curator: I am delighted I could add to your views on this artwork. The power of art often lies in how it subtly reflects the dominant ideologies or even challenges established ways of seeing the world.