Pa. German Chest c. 1936

Edgar L. Pearce created this drawing of a Pennsylvania German Chest, we're not sure when, but Pearce lived between 1855 and 1995. It's made with watercolor, graphite, and ink on paper. I love how the artist meticulously renders the texture of the wood, the subtle variations in color, and the overall form of the chest, all hinting at the process of artmaking. The heart motifs and the starburst on the side panel, rendered in earthy tones with touches of red and blue, create a sense of warmth, tradition, and the personal touch that is so very folk art. The inscription above the heart shapes adds another layer of meaning. The details in the chest’s hardware suggest that the artist was interested in both the decorative and functional aspects of the object. Seeing this piece makes me think of contemporary artists like Chris Ofili, who also draw on folk art traditions and infuse their work with personal symbolism, echoing folk art’s ambiguity and embracing multiple interpretations.