Untitled (The Roundhouse) c. 1936 - 1940

Charles Rosen made this untitled drawing of a roundhouse using graphite on paper. The scene here feels like it emerged slowly, cautiously, from the artist's hand. I can almost see Rosen squinting, his eyes half-closed, trying to catch the essence of the scene before him. The smokestack, the conical roofs, and the repetitive forms of the buildings all line up to create this quiet and contemplative composition. I’m thinking about Rosen at his easel, the soft scratch of the graphite on paper, and his commitment to capturing what he sees, one small mark at a time. It’s not about perfection, but about being true to the process, isn't it? There's a modesty here, a sense of quiet observation that reminds me of Giorgio Morandi's still lifes. He is looking at his own surroundings and working out what they mean. It's comforting to think of artists like Rosen, Morandi and others all engaged in this ongoing conversation, each one adding their voice to the mix. It's a reminder that art isn't about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions and letting the work speak for itself.