Wrought and Cast Iron Doorway c. 1936

Al Curry made this drawing of a wrought and cast iron doorway with ink on paper. The image depicts a doorway of an iron gate with a wall built around it. The gate design includes flowers and curling tendrils with columns on either side topped with classical capitals, all of which create a sense of wealth and luxury. The late 19th century and early 20th century in the United States saw the rise of industrial manufacturing of iron that made it more affordable than ever before. Iron became more popular as a building material for homes, businesses, and public buildings. The architectural drawing here shows a renewed interest in iron work, which has roots in medieval Europe. Drawings like this are often commissioned by businesses to show off their craftwork, or even by wealthy patrons who seek to elevate their status. Further research into Al Curry and the ironwork companies of his time might reveal the place of this drawing in relation to the economic and cultural context of its original production.