Restoration Drawing 1936

Robert Taylor made this 'Restoration Drawing' in 1936, and it feels very connected to the architecture of its time. I can imagine him carefully layering watercolour to depict this doorway, patiently building up each brick and panel of wood. I really feel for Robert, and wonder what it was like to create this. I imagine he wanted to capture every tiny detail, replicating the texture and tone of the old facade. There's a lot of red, or I guess you could call it 'restoration red', which kind of pops against the white. Those starburst shapes are such an amazing detail, and I love how they are mirrored in the pattern beneath. This piece reminds me of the work of other artists of the time, like Charles Sheeler, who were also interested in capturing American architecture. It's like Taylor is having a conversation with them, showing us his own unique perspective. When we look at art, we are not just seeing an object but participating in a long conversation across time.