Cast Iron Porch c. 1936

Gilbert Sackerman made this drawing of a ‘Cast Iron Porch’ sometime in the twentieth century with ink on paper. The drawing is a meticulous orchestration of lines, hatching and cross-hatching. It's all about process. The texture of the brick and stone is evoked through delicate variations in line weight and density. It is hard to pick a favourite, but the ornate ironwork above the door is really amazing. The way that the artist has rendered the light filtering through the leaves and vines. It transforms the solid metal into something delicate and ethereal. It's a reminder that beauty can be found in the everyday, in the places we inhabit, and in the details we often overlook. Sackerman’s work reminds me of Edward Gorey's illustrations, where architecture and ornamentation meet in dark, whimsical worlds. It invites us to appreciate the subtle beauty and hidden stories within seemingly ordinary scenes.