Armchair 1935 - 1942

Ferdinand Cartier made this 'Armchair' with what looks like watercolor, and it's so detailed, it's like he's inviting us into the design process itself. The washes of color, especially in the striped cushion, are applied in such a way that you can almost feel the fabric's texture. Cartier wasn't trying to hide his hand; instead, each stroke seems to celebrate the potential of the medium. Look at the legs of the chair: the way the color fades in and out gives them a real sense of depth. This approach reminds me a little of Charles Demuth's architectural watercolors – that same precision combined with a kind of playful looseness. Ultimately, though, Cartier's piece speaks to the endless possibilities within representation, transforming an everyday object into a moment of quiet contemplation.