Colonial Rocking Chair c. 1937

Florence Truelson’s painting of a Colonial Rocking Chair is rendered with delicate watercolour and graphite on paper. I imagine her focused, patiently observing the object in front of her, gently building up each form with subtle shading and line work. It’s fascinating to consider the way in which Truelson has chosen to depict the chair, a humble domestic object, imbuing it with a sense of quiet dignity. She captures the texture of the woven seat and the smooth, polished surface of the wooden frame with such care. It's a tender act of preservation. The gentle curves of the rocking chair seem to echo the curves of the human body. I picture Truelson contemplating the chair's function as a site of rest and contemplation. It’s like she's inviting us to pause, to sit down, and to reflect on the simple pleasures of everyday life. Gestures, shapes, tones – they all speak to us, across time.