Knee Buckles

James M. Lawson

National Gallery of Art

This is a drawing of a piece of decorative hardware with a rounded rectangular frame and a branched motif. The image features a central element resembling a grille or a decorative buckle, framed within a larger, rectangular boundary on the page. The main object is designed with a hollow, lattice-like structure, composed of consecutive oval shapes aligned horizontally, which create an intricate pattern. Within this framework, a dark, branching form adds an organic aspect to the otherwise geometric design. In the top right corner of the drawing, there is a smaller sketch or schematic. The overall presentation is precise and measured, indicative of a technical drawing or design plan.