Wrought Iron Banister Bracket c. 1937

Curator: Here we have James McLellan’s "Wrought Iron Banister Bracket," dating circa 1937. It's a fascinating study, rendered primarily in pencil, detailing the geometric structure of the support. Editor: It strikes me as elegantly functional. There’s a beautiful starkness to its form. I like how McLellan uses the page almost like an engineer’s notebook, showing us different views of the same object. It’s about appreciating the raw blueprint for something practical, and elevating its austere beauty. Curator: Absolutely. The repetition of form creates a visual rhythm, inviting us to analyze the underlying structural principles. Observe how McLellan masterfully uses tonal variations of pencil to define edges and volumes and create depth within this essentially utilitarian object. It brings out a certain artistic value that goes beyond the purely functional. Editor: And he makes this cold metal feel…warm. Look how soft he renders the handrail – it really grounds the entire composition. There’s a tenderness, even a vulnerability in presenting such a precise design with such palpable humanity. Like he sees the soul of this metal bracket! It almost gives it a poetic function in a space that isn’t just about ascending, but maybe… about pausing, or contemplating. Curator: That's a beautiful reading, a move towards an anthropomorphic or symbolic register. We might consider McLellan’s engagement with materials like wrought iron in terms of a larger cultural moment that emphasizes utility and form, evident in design principles that valorize rationalism, particularly as articulated in Bauhaus philosophy. McLellan’s drawing isn't just representational, but rather an intellectual exercise to analyze the design principles of his era. Editor: I see that. The almost surgical way that the object has been observed and represented definitely opens the door to looking at art and science merging… I appreciate the artist letting the nuts and bolts, the very practical design language speak volumes, literally and metaphorically, and not dressing it up unnecessarily. It feels really direct. Curator: Ultimately, McLellan's close examination compels us to contemplate the often-unseen beauty residing in the functional architecture that frames our daily lives. Editor: It makes one want to stop, the next time we are ascending a staircase, to reflect, truly reflect, on these elements that exist within those often forgotten interstitial spaces.