Plums and Pears 1927

Marsden Hartley made this drawing, Plums and Pears, with graphite on paper. The choice of such simple materials speaks volumes. Graphite pencil is a humble medium, accessible to nearly everyone. This connects the drawing to everyday life. The starkness of the graphite, mass-produced and readily available, contrasts with the natural forms it depicts. Hartley's choice highlights the relationship between industrial production and the organic world. The drawing's technique further enhances its impact. The marks are unblended, leaving the shadows and contours raw and expressive, and conveying a sense of immediacy. We see the artist’s hand and the labor embedded in the careful arrangement of lines. By elevating ordinary materials and subjects, Hartley blurs the boundaries between high art and the mundane. He invites us to appreciate the beauty and significance of everyday objects, and to recognize the value of simple making processes.