Abstract

Architecture

Because most architectural drawing has the purpose of exploring possibilities, it is by no means pure art: it is a testing of ideas, not revelation. But even when an architect draws and colors ,a careful, realistic' perspective of a building to show to a client, the drawing; if it is a good one, will imply as much as it actually designates. It will have a mood. And sometimes architectural drawings have so much of this, so strong a sense of excitement, that they radiate vitality. This is certainly true of most of the early Frank Lloyd Wright drawings now on display. Staring at his drawings of the middle 1890s through the 1930s, one feels oneself at his elbow as he presumes, supposes and convinces himself about structure- and space. These drawings have that compelling quality of discovery; the man was a prophet.