Belgrave Square and Wilton Crescent 1928

Here we see Harry Phelan Gibb's 'Belgrave Square and Wilton Crescent', rendered with ink on paper. The drawing presents a cityscape dominated by architectural forms and punctuated with organic elements. The sepia tones grant the scene a timeless quality, inviting contemplation on the interplay of light and shadow. Gibb masterfully uses line to define the buildings, creating a rhythmic pattern that leads the eye through the composition. This linear structure is softened by the fluid washes of ink, which give the buildings a sense of depth and volume. Note the strategic placement of darker tones which defines the edges and accentuate the structure. The overall effect is a dynamic tension between the precision of the architectural forms and the spontaneity of the medium. It's in this visual dichotomy that the drawing finds its unique voice, inviting us to explore the intersections between order and fluidity, structure and expression. The artwork challenges our understanding of static urban landscapes.