Italian 16th and 18th Century: Gallery 34 1939

This is a drawing of Gallery 34 by Eggers and Higgins, Architects. It probably came about through careful measuring, some light calculations, and a deep knowledge of architectural styles. I like imagining these architects in their studio, surrounded by rolls of blueprints, poring over details and proportions, and thinking about how the space would feel to visitors. I wonder if they were inspired by the great Italian architects of the Renaissance, like Palladio, whose buildings were all about harmony and balance. The drawing is divided into two sections: one a shaded rendering, the other a precise, unadorned elevation. The shaded area is like a stage set. The unshaded drawing is like the backstage where the plans are laid bare. This drawing reminds us that art isn’t created in a vacuum, but through constant dialogue and inspiration. It also shows that art is process, and that beauty can arise from a deep understanding of underlying structures.