Corner Cupboard c. 1941

Joseph Ficcadenti made this corner cupboard, in paint, with what looks like an extraordinary amount of care. Just look at those parallel lines that suggest the grain in the wood! Maybe he was thinking about how to render three dimensions on a flat surface, but I suspect he was enjoying the sheer practice of drawing, line after line after line. I wonder if he ever thought of not stopping? Like a Sol LeWitt. The little heart carved above the doors! So sweet. Each mark feels intuitive but also studied. I bet Joseph was thinking about folk art and the Shaker aesthetic. It’s the kind of piece that makes you think about home and tradition, of all the makers who came before. This one offers a sense of playfulness amidst the formal precision. We never know how the simple act of painting might spark something new for those who come later.