Iron Work c. 1936

Lucien Verbeke designed this drawing of ironwork for Mother Cabrini’s home. Although undated, its historical context is rooted in turn-of-the-century New Orleans, a city known for its distinct architectural style and cultural blending. This work serves as a visual record of the intricate ironwork that defines much of the city's architecture, reflecting a blend of European craftsmanship and local aesthetics. These designs speak to a complex interplay of status, race, and artistic expression. Ironwork was not merely decorative but also a marker of social standing, with elaborate designs often signifying wealth and power, and functioned as a barrier, with obvious implications for the racial and economic divides within the city. Verbeke's precise linework invites us to consider the labor and skill involved in creating these iron masterpieces and how these designs can be both beautiful and imposing. It represents a lasting narrative about the city’s layered identity.