Doors (Inside View) c. 1939

Geoffrey Holt made this watercolour of "Doors (Inside View)" sometime between 1855 and 1995, he probably stood right in front of them. The image is pretty symmetrical, but look closer: the textures change, the colour shifts and the outlines aren’t exact. I can imagine Holt carefully observing the doors, noticing the play of light, the way the grain of the wood catches the paint and how the hinges create a visual rhythm across the surface. He’s thinking about the craft of building, the details that often go unnoticed, like the meeting stile and the capital. Maybe Holt made this painting as a way to slow down and really see these doors. It reminds me that painting isn't just about replicating what's in front of us; it’s about finding a way to connect to the world, to understand the structures and shapes that make up our everyday lives. It’s like he’s saying, "Hey, look at this, isn't it interesting?" And, yeah, it is.