Iron Grille at Window: Restoration Drawing c. 1936

Harry Mann Waddell made this restoration drawing of an iron grille at a window, and immediately, I’m thinking about how drawing, in its own way, is a form of restoration. Waddell’s delicate use of color feels almost like a conservation effort, gently bringing back the ironwork's original presence. Look at how the light plays across the bars, the subtle gradations of shadow he’s captured. The lines are precise but soft, a tender embrace of a solid, functional object. It’s like he's not just showing us the grille, but also hinting at the stories it could tell. The way he renders the stone around the grille is interesting; it’s much looser, more gestural. It emphasizes the grille itself as the focal point, maybe suggesting the artist's fascination with craftsmanship. There is something in this drawing that reminds me of Agnes Martin, that same quiet dedication. Art is all about seeing and showing, a continuous conversation across time. It’s not about answers but about expanding the way we see and experience the world.