Cast Iron Balcony c. 1936

This sepia wash drawing shows a balcony in remarkable detail, and was made by Lucien Verbeke, who was born in 1855. Looking at this balcony, it looks more like lace than metal! I can imagine Verbeke carefully layering the pigment, building up the tones, and using tiny brushes for the intricate details. It's incredible how much visual information he’s managed to capture with such a limited palette. I think he probably stood across the street, or maybe he sat on his own balcony. I see him squinting, trying to translate the 3-D world into a 2-D image, and then working out how to capture the effects of light and shadow using just one pigment. This is not just documentation; it's an act of interpretation. Verbeke’s eye transforms cast iron into something delicate and precious, and it’s a reminder that even the most functional objects can be art. His observation of light and architecture connects to artists throughout history and offers a glimpse into the beauty of everyday life.