Ornamental Iron Leaf 1938

Walter Praefke made this delicate drawing of an Ornamental Iron Leaf in 1938. The drawing is a study in warm browns, a symphony of subtle tonal variations that capture the leaf's form. It is as if Praefke is feeling his way through the subject, building up layer upon layer to create a sense of depth. There’s something intimate about the way the artist dwells on the details. See how the delicate lines and curves echo the natural forms. The texture looks smooth, the colors blend seamlessly. It brings to mind the work of graphic artists like M.C. Escher and invites us to contemplate the intersection of the natural and the ornamental. Art is an ongoing dialogue across time, after all.