Iron Fireback 1935 - 1942

Henry Meyers made this drawing of an Iron Fireback at an unknown date using graphite on paper. Meyers’ touch is so tender here, layering soft, almost imperceptible marks to build up these decorative forms. The graphite is used to evoke the textures of the iron work, the scrolls and flourishes have such an incredible delicacy. He creates this real sense of depth and weight, the way that the light catches on these metal forms. The shading of the graphite is so smooth, it’s hard to tell exactly how he built up these tones and what tools he used to achieve such a level of detail. I find myself drawn to the blank area at the center. It’s this quiet, empty space that makes the ornateness of the border even more striking. There is a similar focus in the work of Agnes Martin, who often used subtle and pared back compositions. It feels almost meditative, drawing you into the quiet calm, while still suggesting the complexity of the world around us.