Restoration Drawing: Main Doorway & Arch to Mission House c. 1939

Curator: Here we have William Kieckhofel’s "Restoration Drawing: Main Doorway & Arch to Mission House," likely completed around 1939. The medium seems to be watercolor on paper, rendering an architectural scene. Editor: My first impression is a sense of warmth and stillness. The muted terracotta tones create a serene, almost dreamlike quality, focusing your attention on the architectural details. Curator: It is an interesting choice of subject. Kieckhofel worked for the Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS). It was part of the New Deal, aiming to document significant architecture during the Depression. Artists, like Kieckhofel, were employed to record these sites. It really speaks to the politics of preservation during that time. Editor: The composition definitely directs the eye. The artist's emphasis on the central arch and doorway employs classical elements. Look at the rhythmic repetition of the brickwork, which creates a visual cadence that’s quite satisfying, even calming. Curator: Indeed, it showcases an intersection of governmentality and artistic endeavor. HABS was about preserving national identity and projecting a sense of stability during tumultuous times. There was also a certain regionalist bent. Looking at structures rooted in local history allowed for an implicit promotion of American values. Editor: It's the light that fascinates me. Notice how the washes of color suggest depth and volume without heavy lines. The way the light delicately falls on the rounded arch and tiled floor provides the viewer with the image as being aged. Curator: So while you admire the use of watercolor and how it conveys light and space, I see the socio-political undercurrents shaping the artist's gaze and the selection of this specific architectural element. Editor: It is a beautiful work in both artistic intention and formal element of design and color! Curator: I agree and I'm pleased to understand more deeply how historic government programs encouraged preservation of early-American architecture.