Iron Railing c. 1936

Samuel Fineman made this drawing of an iron railing, with what looks like graphite or charcoal on paper. It's all about process, right? The grey tonality is so subtle it's almost like a whisper. Look at how the artist coaxes form out of the page. The repetitive, looping design, like vines with leaves and grapes, makes me think of a waltz, a graceful, recurring dance. The texture comes from the layering of the graphite. You can almost feel the metallic coolness of the iron. Notice how the lower left corner holds a smaller, more detailed sketch of a section? It's like Fineman is saying, "Here's the key, here's how it all fits together." This drawing reminds me of the architectural renderings of Piranesi, but with a softer, more organic touch. Ultimately, it's a celebration of the everyday, elevating the mundane into something beautiful and intricate.