Chair c. 1941

Curator: This watercolor illustration by Ethelbert Brown, titled "Chair," was likely created around 1941. The piece features a rather imposing, high-backed wooden chair, depicted in precise detail. Editor: Imposing is right! It reminds me of something from a medieval castle or perhaps a judge’s bench. There's a sense of gravity, even severity to its form. The wooden structure, rendered in these somber browns and greys, suggests a space of formal pronouncements or perhaps, hushed confessions. Curator: The scale amplifies that feeling, doesn't it? The chair isn't just an object; it's almost an architectural statement. Think of the role furniture often played: It wasn't just functional; it projected power, status. Consider its position in a domestic or public space. I wonder what conversations that chair has 'overheard.' Editor: Exactly. I am struck by the color choices. The deep browns speak to something very grounded, material – a history literally built into the wood. The subtle greys introduce an almost spectral element, suggesting how memory itself might inhabit such a weighty object. Is the artist hinting at its past lives? Curator: Perhaps. Brown's choice of watercolor allows for a degree of precision, as well as for translucent layers that create a sort of inner luminosity. The effect captures how historical objects carry traces of time and evoke deeper emotional resonance, especially during times of anxiety and crisis. World War II began in 1939, after all. This chair becomes a solid symbol of solidity in a world turning upside down. Editor: Right. During moments of widespread change and turmoil, symbols become increasingly crucial. It invites you to consider it beyond just an object and as a symbol representing the comfort of the domestic interior. Curator: Absolutely, I agree. The chair presents a quiet assertion of cultural persistence—the everyday enduring amid dramatic upheaval. Thank you for these interesting insights. Editor: My pleasure. It's fascinating to consider how everyday objects can become so charged with meaning.