Serving Table c. 1938

Edward L. Loper made this "Serving Table" painting at an undetermined date. The color and careful lines that describe this table make me feel like the artist was interested in showing us his process. The rendering has a delicate touch; the colors are thin and transparent, almost like watercolors. The table's legs are so finely described, like elegant, attenuated lines drawn in ink. I find it interesting how he detailed these curvilinear flourishes on either side of the top bar. The top has a bit of blended shading that makes it feel volumetric but slightly unreal. This reminds me of other painters who explore the boundary between abstraction and representation, like Fairfield Porter. Ultimately, this painting is like a snapshot of a thought process, caught somewhere between reality and reverie.