Rural Kitchen 1935 - 1942

Perkins Harnly made this watercolor of a "Rural Kitchen," sometime in the 20th century, and what strikes me about it is how every object seems carefully considered. The colours are muted, like a memory fading into sepia, and the thin, washy paint creates a soft, almost dreamlike quality. Look closely, and you'll notice the level of detail Harnly puts into rendering the different textures and patterns - the floral wallpaper, the checked tablecloth, the intricate metalwork of the stove. I find my eye going to the water pump that sits above the sink, and the angle of the handle which contrasts to the geometric stovepipe behind it. It’s a delicate balance between representation and something a little more abstract, a bit like Morandi in that way. But I think the real magic here is how Harnly transforms a simple kitchen into a space that feels both familiar and strange. It’s not just a room; it’s a feeling, a story, a moment suspended in time. Ultimately, this piece reminds me that art is about seeing the world in new ways, and finding beauty in the everyday.