Untitled (Factory with Railroad Siding) 1935

This graphite drawing of a factory with railroad siding was made by Edith E. Lipsky. The artist's hand moved over the page, building tone with countless tiny marks. I wonder what it might have felt like to stand in front of this factory, feeling small next to such a huge industrial complex. I imagine Lipsky trying to capture the subtle shifts in light and shadow, patiently layering graphite to give form to the buildings. Her marks seem so delicate compared to the weight and scale of the architecture. Look how she’s used the side of the graphite to create blocks of tone in the sky, contrasting with the sharper lines that define the buildings and train tracks. It makes me think of Piranesi’s etchings of Rome – a similar feeling of being overwhelmed by the scale and monumentality of architecture. This piece feels so full of quiet observation, of the artist taking the time to really look and see the world around her. It’s a reminder that drawing can be a way of slowing down and paying attention to the things we often overlook.