Cast Iron Balcony Rail c. 1936

Al Curry made this drawing, "Cast Iron Balcony Rail," using sepia ink to bring a building to life on paper. It's fascinating how a limited palette can reveal so much, isn't it? You can really see his hand in the mark-making; the controlled washes alongside areas of delicate, detailed line work. It really feels like an act of translation. The texture and tone feel very important here. Look at how the ink pools and settles, almost like watercolor. He's able to capture the light and shadow on the brickwork and the ornate iron railing. It's all about the touch. I particularly like the way the shutters are rendered, some open, some closed. It reminds me of a Josef Albers print, you know, that idea of seriality, but with this added sense of narrative mystery. This drawing reminds me of Edward Hopper's architectural studies, that sense of observation and attention to detail. But where Hopper's work is imbued with a sense of melancholy, Curry's feels more like a celebration of form, light, and texture. It's about seeing the beauty in the everyday.