Shaker Chest of Drawers 1937

Winslow Rich’s Shaker Chest of Drawers is a painting of a set of drawers that are a reddish brown colour. Looking at the artwork, I can see that the drawers have been carefully and neatly rendered. I imagine Winslow Rich wanted to create a faithful representation of the chest, focusing on its simple form and functional design. Maybe he was interested in the Shaker community and their values of simplicity, utility, and honesty in craftsmanship. The way he’s painted it makes me feel he was really admiring the clean lines and unadorned surfaces which are so characteristic of Shaker furniture. It reminds me a little of Agnes Martin’s work - Martin used grids and subtle color variations to evoke a sense of quiet contemplation. I guess both artists share an interest in simplicity and restraint. Artists are always looking at each other, even if it is across time. I love that.