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, 39 x 75 5⁄8 x 32 3⁄4 in. (99.1 x 192.1 x 83.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1995.77, © 1992, Rosanne Somerson

Artwork Details

Title
Botanical Reading Couch
Artist
Date
1992
Location
Dimensions
39 x 75 5⁄8 x 32 3⁄4 in. (99.1 x 192.1 x 83.2 cm)
Copyright
© 1992, Rosanne Somerson
Credit Line
Gift of the James Renwick Alliance
Mediums
Mediums Description
painted mahogany and cherry with cotton
Classifications
Object Number
1995.77
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/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)

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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
Artist
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
Artist
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
Artist
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
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view

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Family Reunion
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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
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tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
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