Details of Paneling 1935 - 1942

Charles Squires made this study, *Details of Paneling,* with ink on paper, and although we don’t know when exactly, the work feels rooted in a clear process of drawing and re-drawing, a method of artmaking based on repetition and refinement. The physical quality of the paper provides a neutral space for Squires’ clean, precise lines, which are so carefully detailed that they feel like they could be lifted right off the page and used as templates for real-world application. But look closer. The subtle gradations of tone, achieved through hatching and cross-hatching, give the paneling depth and dimension, making them feel almost tactile. The ornamentation, though stylized, suggests a love of natural forms. It reminds me a bit of the graphic work of someone like Hilma af Klint, who also explored pattern and repetition, but with a more mystical bent. Ultimately, this piece invites us to consider the role of ornamentation and the way it can transform space, adding layers of meaning and beauty to the everyday.