Restoration Drawing 1936

This watercolor and graphite drawing was made in 1936 by Robert W.R. Taylor. The whole thing is done with such precision, you get the feeling Taylor wanted to nail every little detail of this restoration project. The colors are muted, like an old photograph, but somehow they pop at the same time. I’m thinking about how the cool blue of the arches contrasts with the warm wood of the door. The lines are so clean, almost architectural in their precision. It’s as if Taylor is showing us not just the building, but the blueprints in his mind. Check out the lower left corner. Those brick lines aren’t perfectly straight; they wobble just a bit, giving the wall a handmade feel that balances the crispness of the archway above. There’s a similar attention to detail in a drawing by Agnes Martin. Both share a commitment to simplicity and clarity, but also a love for the slight imperfections that make art human. Art is just ongoing conversations.