Architectural Carving 1935 - 1942

This architectural carving, by an anonymous artist, has a decorative quality; the process is about meticulous layering, creating a sense of depth and volume. Look closely, and you'll notice how the artist used subtle color variations – browns, golds, and grays – to give the eagle and banner a lifelike feel. The paint application is delicate, almost like watercolor, allowing the paper's texture to peek through, creating a luminous effect. My attention is drawn to the lettering on the banner ‘In time of peace, prepare for war’. It's a phrase that makes you stop and think about the relationship between seemingly opposing ideas. It also reminds me a little of the work of Ed Ruscha, who also worked with typography to reveal the contradictions in everyday language. This piece, with its combination of precision and subtle expressiveness, shows us that art is not just about representation, but about opening up new ways of seeing and experiencing the world.