Cast Iron Gate c. 1936

Lucien Verbeke made this drawing of a cast iron gate using ink on paper, and although we don't know the exact date, he was working from the late 19th century onwards, so it's interesting to think about the context in which this was made, the world of industrial manufacturing. There's something almost compulsive about the repetition of forms, the arabesques and geometric patterns. The lines are fine and precise, creating a real sense of depth and texture. The shading gives it all a three-dimensional quality. The figure at the center is like a crest or logo, a little enigmatic, but really beautifully rendered. It’s a world away from the kind of abstraction I’m used to, but still, I can relate to the pleasure of exploring a motif, turning it this way and that, seeing what it can do. It makes me think of Piranesi, who was also preoccupied with architectural details. Like Verbeke, Piranesi embraced detail and line to evoke the grandeur and the intricacy of the built environment. There's no fixed meaning here, just an invitation to look closely and let your imagination wander.