Cupola 

Jules Schmalzigaug made this exploratory sketch, "Cupola," with red chalk, at a time when Europe was on the cusp of monumental change. Schmalzigaug, an early modernist, was deeply influenced by futurism, a movement celebrating technology, speed, and the dynamism of modern life. In this context, "Cupola" can be seen as more than just an architectural study. The quick, energetic lines capture the excitement and anxiety of a world hurtling towards the future. The choice of the cupola, traditionally a symbol of stability and power, rendered here with such ephemeral strokes, reflects the shifting societal foundations. Schmalzigaug tragically took his own life in 1917, a casualty of the very era he sought to depict. His work reminds us of the profound impact of historical change on individual lives, capturing both the allure and the fragility of progress.