Steel Buckle c. 1937

This is Thomas Holloway's drawing of a steel buckle made at some point between the 18th and 19th century, rendered in graphite on paper. The way the graphite captures the light reflecting off each individual jewel is quite charming. The slight variations in tone and pressure give depth to the objects represented, a sense of the buckle's materiality. I really enjoy the way the artist has chosen to represent the buckle from different angles. It reminds me of technical drawings, where you see an object from all sides to fully understand its form. But, at the same time, there's an artistic quality in the attention to detail, like the tiny circular gems that catch the light in their own way. These detailed studies are an intriguing contribution to the field of decorative arts. It makes me think about the drawings of Leonardo Da Vinci, the way he would explore every facet of a subject, mixing art and science together. Like Da Vinci, Holloway invites us to see the world with new eyes, appreciating the beauty in even the smallest of things.