Restoration Drawing 1935 - 1942

Robert Taylor created this restoration drawing using pencil and watercolor. It depicts a section of wall with a door, columns, arches, and decorative painting. The very visible process involved in the watercolor imbues it with a sense of immediacy. Taylor has captured the light falling on the wall, bringing out the texture of the materials and suggesting the effects of time. The visible pencil lines emphasize the care, precision, and skill involved in producing accurate depictions. The drawing becomes not just a record, but an interpretation. The contrast between the crisp architectural elements and the freehand decorative painting prompts us to consider the division of labor in creating architectural spaces, the design and construction versus the artistic details and ornamentation. It raises questions about the roles of the many hands involved in the production of architectural spaces, from the initial design to the final touches. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows a richer understanding of how architectural designs come into being, challenging the traditional distinctions between design and craft.