Iron Railing c. 1936

This drawing of an iron railing was made by Ernest Towers Jr. It's got this really beautiful, controlled, yet flowing line work. The way the artist has built up the shading gives it a sculptural, almost three-dimensional feel, like it's popping right off the page. Looking at it, I'm struck by the contrast between the rigidity of the iron and the organic forms of the flowers and leaves. See how each element is meticulously rendered, with tiny details that invite you to trace the patterns with your eyes? The artist uses this muted palette of grays and blacks, which actually enhances the texture and the play of light across the surface. It makes you want to reach out and touch it, to feel the cool, hard metal. I think of the work of someone like M.C. Escher, who also played with pattern and illusion. Both artists invite us to see the world in new and unexpected ways. It’s a reminder that art is an ongoing conversation across time.