Enough woodworkers are fascinated by period furniture that there’s an organization dedicated to it (Society of American Period Furniture Makers). However, one aspect of the craft is often overlooked: lighting. In pre-industrial times, work shops were organized so as to maximize the amount of daylight they could receive. Long benches and lathes were positioned next to windows. Overhead lighting is flat compared to natural light, and it produces fewer shadows. Often a woodworker is slowed down by having to hold a piece up to the light to see the depth of the work.
Key Takeaways:
- Enough woodworkers are interested in period furniture that they have their own organization.
- Pre-industrial workshops positioned their work areas to take advantage of light from windows.
- Overhead lighting is flat and can make it hard to see the depth of your work.
“Aside from the few extant workshops, historical paintings, photographs and other artwork help us to understand the relationship between the bench and the windows.”
Read more: https://www.popularwoodworking.com/editors-blog/arts-mysteries-blogs/lighting-matters/
