Sofa c. 1940

An anonymous artist made this drawing of a sofa at an unknown time, using what looks like watercolor on paper. There is something delicious about the color palette. It’s understated and muted, almost as if the artist was trying to capture the essence of a fading memory. I’m drawn to the way the artist handled the floral patterns on the sofa’s upholstery. It’s not just a flat replication of a design; it's like a dance of the hand, each swirl and leaf rendered with a unique touch. I keep thinking about those legs, too. The artist paid a lot of attention to the details in their construction, and the use of shading to give them volume. This isn’t just a drawing of a sofa; it’s a portrait of one. The overall impression reminds me of some of Fairfield Porter’s domestic scenes. Like him, this artist finds beauty in the ordinary. The drawing exists in a space where representation and abstraction meet, and embraces the imperfections and ambiguities of the world.