Side of Original Confessional c. 1936

Geoffrey Holt, who lived between 1855 and 1995, made this watercolor drawing. You can see the process in the way the brown wash soaks into the paper, creating soft edges and subtle variations in tone. The texture is smooth, but the color suggests the rough, aged surface of the confessional. The wood grain is visible through the thin layers of paint, giving the structure a sense of depth and history. Notice how the cross on top has a jewel-like quality. It’s the focal point, a symbol of faith and redemption. The drawing feels both reverent and intimate, like a personal meditation on the act of confession. Holt’s approach reminds me of Agnes Martin’s delicate and spiritual drawings. Both artists use subtle variations in tone and texture to create works that are both visually simple and emotionally complex. The act of confession itself is an ongoing dialogue and exchange of ideas across time.