Botanical Reading Couch

Rosanne Somerson, Botanical Reading Couch, 1992, painted mahogany and cherry with cotton, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1995.77, © 1992, Rosanne Somerson
Rosanne Somerson, Botanical Reading Couch, 1992, painted mahogany and cherry with cotton, 3975 5832 34 in. (99.1192.183.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1995.77, © 1992, Rosanne Somerson

Artwork Details

Title
Botanical Reading Couch
Date
1992
Dimensions
3975 5832 34 in. (99.1192.183.2 cm)
Copyright
© 1992, Rosanne Somerson
Credit Line
Gift of the James Renwick Alliance
Mediums Description
painted mahogany and cherry with cotton
Classifications
Object Number
1995.77

Artwork Description

One of the first women to break into the field of studio furniture, Rosanne Somerson crafts technically and conceptually complex pieces that value function as well as emotional content. She made Botanical Reading Couch after the birth of her daughter, which inspired her interest in memories and nature. The couch evokes Somerson’s childhood memory of falling languidly into a pile of leaves and reading under an old willow tree. It invites the viewer to reminisce on their own pleasant memories.

Works by this artist (32 items)

Eliot Clark, Toward the Heights--Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.8
Toward the Heights – Himalayas
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Shiva's Realm, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.19
Shiva’s Realm
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Nanda Devi at Dawn--Mayavati Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.24
Nanda Devi at Dawn – Mayavati Himalayas
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Last Light, Nanda Devi--Himalayas XI, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.20
Last Light, Nanda Devi – Himalayas XI
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

William H. Johnson, Male Model on Stool, ca. 1939-1940, tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.238
Male Model on Stool
Dateca. 1939-1940
tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Induction Center, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.169
Induction Center
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Family Reunion, ca. 1940-1941, tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1061R-V
Family Reunion
Dateca. 1940-1941
tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Children at Ice Cream Stand, ca. 1939-1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1097R
Children at Ice Cream Stand
Dateca. 1939-1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view