Side Chair 1935 - 1942

Gilbert Sackerman made this watercolor of a chair, at no specific date. I love how, in his depiction of a humble side chair, Sackerman seems to be exploring the fundamentals of form and texture. The chair isn't just an object; it's a study in browns, from the deep, leathery seat to the warm wooden frame. Look closely, and you can almost feel the different surfaces. There's the smooth, almost reflective quality of the seat and back, contrasted with the more matte and grainy texture of the wood. The way Sackerman uses light and shadow, especially on the rounded knobs of the chair legs, gives the piece a sculptural quality. This reminds me a little of some of Morandi’s still life paintings; everyday objects made monumental through careful observation and gentle brushwork. In both cases, we are invited to contemplate the quiet beauty of simple things, and to see the world around us with fresh eyes.