Replica of a Carriage c. 1940

Emilio Zito made this drawing of a horse-drawn "Rockaway" carriage, a replica from 1867, sometime between 1855 and 1995. Look at the lines, how they define the wheels and the carriage body! I imagine Zito carefully measuring and sketching each part, trying to capture the carriage’s essence with simple strokes of graphite on paper. What was he thinking, meticulously tracing the wheels, rendering the tassels hanging from the carriage roof? Was he interested in the functionality of the carriage, or perhaps in its historical significance? Maybe he felt the carriage was somehow connected to his own family history, or even just family stories? This reminds me of technical drawings, but infused with a sense of care, you know? Like he was making a memory. Every artist engages in a dialogue with history, reinterpreting forms and ideas. Zito probably knew he was speaking to other draftsmen through the ages, adding his voice to the ongoing conversation. It’s a beautiful thing, this artistic lineage, where we build upon each other's visions!