Side Chair 1936

Michael Trekur made this drawing of a Side Chair, likely with graphite or ink on paper. I love how Trekur hasn’t tried to hide the working process of the drawing; you can see all the measurement lines and notes, almost like a palimpsest. The line is really interesting. It’s precise, as you’d expect in a technical drawing, but there are also slight variations in pressure and weight, giving it a kind of sensitivity. Look at the way he renders the urn-like shape in the back of the chair – the lines are so delicate, almost hesitant. It’s these small moments of uncertainty that make the drawing feel alive. It reminds me a bit of some of the architectural drawings of Piranesi, or maybe even some of David Hockney's more graphic works. It’s this combination of precision and playfulness that really grabs me. Art is always a conversation, right?