Armchair 1941

Robert W.R. Taylor made this watercolor of an armchair sometime in his lifetime, which spanned from 1855 to 1995. It’s interesting how a seemingly simple object like a chair can become a study in texture and form. Look at the way Taylor uses watercolor to mimic the textures of the wood and fabric, it’s almost trompe l'oeil. The wood has a weathered feel, and you can almost imagine running your hand over the carved details and feeling the grain. And then there's the seat itself, that sort of velvet or leather, studded with these tiny, shiny tacks, they become like highlights in the painting. My eye keeps getting drawn to the ornate carvings on the legs. Those swirls and curves feel so alive, almost like they’re reaching out. Thinking about furniture, I am reminded of Eileen Gray, who, like Taylor, saw furniture as more than functional, but as sculptural forms that exist in conversation with the body. It’s a nice reminder that art can be found in the everyday if you just take the time to look.