Arched Doorway Mission San Diego c. 1942

This watercolor drawing of the 'Arched Doorway, Mission San Diego' was created by William Kieckhofel. Notice how the architectural facade is depicted with symmetry and balance, emphasizing the form and structure of the mission's entrance. The interplay of light and shadow gently models the surfaces, giving volume to the doorway. The composition invites a structuralist reading through its careful arrangement of architectural elements. Each component—the arched doorway, the flanking columns, the window above—functions as a sign, contributing to an overall narrative of stability and order. However, the crumbling brickwork introduces a disruption. These elements subtly undermine the facade's intended message of permanence. This play between structure and decay destabilizes any fixed interpretation. This watercolor engages with broader philosophical themes of time, entropy, and the impermanence of human creations.