Lock Plate c. 1940

Edward Jewett made this drawing of a lock plate, likely on paper, sometime in the 20th century. I can imagine him sketching and re-sketching, figuring out the intricacies of the eagles in profile. The precision here is pretty amazing. I bet Jewett was staring intensely at the original object! Maybe he was thinking about how the eagles' wings wrap around the keyhole, protecting and guarding it. It's neat how the simple lines of the drawing give such a tangible sense of form. The ochre colour creates depth and brings an idea to life. It reminds me of other technical drawings, where artists study objects closely. There is an attention to detail which shows the artist's deep engagement with their subject, an act of transformation through careful observation. You can feel the artist’s hand and eye working together.