Iron Gate and Fence c. 1936

Arelia Arbo made this monochrome painting, "Iron Gate and Fence", with what looks like watercolour on paper. I'm thinking about her process, the way she would have mixed the grey washes with water, building up tone and texture gradually. Look at the gate: notice the dark, almost black vertical bars contrasting with the lighter grey of the curling ironwork. The paper peeks through in places too. It gives the image light and air. I wonder if Arelia was interested in how to use these elements to evoke different moods? Maybe she was trying to capture the feeling of being outside versus the confinement of being inside? Or was she fascinated by the play of light and shadow on architectural forms? You get a sense of a clear bright day and a sense of order. I love the little extras she added too, like the 'I' shape in the top left or the tiny urn at the bottom. Artists are always drawing on and learning from each other, building on traditions, experimenting with new ideas. That's what keeps art alive!