Candle Table c. 1940

Editor: So, we're looking at David S. De Vault's "Candle Table," circa 1940, rendered in watercolor and drawing. There's a stillness about it; like the world held its breath. What strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: The quiet competence of it, perhaps? It's almost devotional in its observation of a simple, functional object. I keep thinking of a monk illuminating a manuscript; there’s a similar dedication in the lines and washes. What do *you* see? I’m always curious how art hits different eyes. Editor: Well, it definitely makes me think about furniture design! It is functional, but then you wonder about the appeal. Why draw this, as opposed to a grand landscape, or a portrait? Curator: Exactly! Perhaps, it is precisely the everyday-ness of the subject matter that gives it its charge. Consider the date, circa 1940. World War II was raging. Maybe in the quiet of a home, rendering this ordinary thing… this table… was a meditation on simplicity and refuge. Do you notice how carefully he details the wood grain? Editor: I do. It's fascinating to consider it that way - not just as an illustration, but a potential reflection of a really turbulent time. I hadn’t considered that angle. Curator: That is how art whispers to us through time: sometimes it's a shout, and sometimes it's just a quiet little secret. In this piece I feel that you need to be attentive to be able to listen to what it tells you. Editor: So, I guess that changes everything! Looking closer has opened a narrative I wouldn’t have imagined before. Curator: I find the best pieces make us challenge assumptions and reflect! I'm glad we were able to share that reflection with others now!