Side Chair c. 1941

Herbert S. Frere painted this side chair, sometime between 1855 and 1995, using watercolour and graphite. I can imagine him, bent over the paper, carefully constructing this chair into being with graphite lines and washes of watercolor. He has rendered its delicate curves with such precision; a chair is a beautiful thing to paint, all those complex angles. The deep blue velvety seat cushion practically invites you to sit. I think he might have been thinking about the quiet contemplation afforded by everyday objects. This piece reminds me of the work of other artists who elevate humble subjects through close observation and meticulous rendering. Each line and brushstroke feels like a form of embodied expression, allowing for multiple interpretations. Like, who sat here? What did they see? Maybe he hoped that people would reflect on the beauty that surrounds us.