Cast Iron Balcony Railing c. 1936

This drawing of a cast iron balcony railing was made by Arelia Arbo, we don't know exactly when, but probably in the mid-20th century. It's so precise, each line carefully placed to describe the intricate metalwork. You can really see the artist working through it, figuring out how to translate a three-dimensional object onto a flat surface, one mark at a time. What strikes me is the way the artist has rendered the texture of the ironwork. The dark lines give it a real sense of weight and depth, and the way they are layered creates a kind of visual vibration. Look closely at the details, those little flourishes and curlicues, each one rendered with so much care and attention. It's almost like the artist is celebrating the craftsmanship that went into making the original railing. In a way, this drawing reminds me of some of the architectural renderings of Piranesi, though on a much smaller and more intimate scale. And, just like Piranesi, Arbo seems to be interested in the way that architecture shapes our experience of the world.