Cast Iron Balcony Rail c. 1936

Ray Price made this drawing of a Cast Iron Balcony Rail. The artist meticulously rendered the ironwork with fine details on paper, reflecting the industrial processes and artistic craftsmanship of the time. Cast iron production involves creating molds and pouring molten iron into them, giving it the intricate patterns and robust form we see here. The artist's choice to depict this particular subject matter emphasizes the intersection of functional architecture and decorative arts, elevating everyday urban elements to a form of artistic expression. The material, cast iron, gained prominence during the Industrial Revolution because it could be mass-produced, enabling the creation of elaborate architectural details at a lower cost than hand-forged iron. In capturing this balcony rail, the drawing speaks to the rise of industrial processes and their impact on the aesthetics of the built environment, and how these shaped social spaces. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we understand the full meaning of the artwork, and how this challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.