Cast Iron Toy Bank: Independence Hall c. 1937

This is Dorothy Brennan's watercolor of a Cast Iron Toy Bank: Independence Hall. You know, when you’re painting something metallic, it’s almost like you're trying to capture light itself. The variations in tone here feel so considered. Looking at it now, you can almost feel the weight of the cast iron, right? I love the way Brennan renders the texture, using delicate washes to suggest the subtle shifts in plane and the play of light on the surface. The color is all about these warm, earthy browns, like aged metal catching the sun. See how she’s built up the layers of color, especially around the edges? It makes me think about the work of Charles Sheeler, who was also so interested in depicting industrial forms with a kind of precision. But where Sheeler is all about crisp lines and clarity, Brennan’s got this softer, more intimate touch. It’s like she’s inviting you to reach out and touch the past.