Shaker Table c. 1936

This watercolor painting of a Shaker Table was made by Victor F. Muollo sometime in the 20th century. Muollo’s approach to the object is really interesting to me, he has this soft touch, a light palette, and a kind of restrained method that makes this everyday object feel like it’s floating in space. The surface is really smooth, and the washes are delicate and transparent. The color palette, predominantly muted earth tones, creates a sense of warmth, and that soft texture makes me think about the passage of time. I’m drawn to the subtle gradients in the wood, how Muollo uses color to suggest form and volume. It’s kind of subtle, almost like he is using a single brush, or maybe a rag, to tease out the light. There’s something of Agnes Martin in his use of lightness, that reminds me that art is often about opening up possibilities more than arriving at definite conclusions.