Balcony Railing c. 1936

Rolland Livingstone made this drawing of a balcony railing, we're not sure exactly when, using what looks like ink and watercolor. It’s like he’s feeling his way through the form with the brush, letting the lines wobble and vary in thickness. The gold and brown palette gives it a kind of antique feel, like something you’d find in a dusty old sketchbook. What strikes me is how present Livingstone is in each mark. You can almost see him deciding where to place each swirl and flourish. Take a look at the fan shape in the center—the lines are so delicate and precise, yet there's still a sense of hand-done imperfection. The ground is off-white, so the drawing almost appears to glow. It reminds me a little of the architectural drawings of Piranesi, but with a more intimate, personal touch. Ultimately, it’s less about the railing itself and more about the artist’s hand, his eye, and the joy of seeing and recording.