Nis van de Noorderkerk in Hoorn 1875

George Clausen’s sketch of the Noorderkerk in Hoorn is rendered with graphite pencil on paper. These are common, accessible materials, inviting us to consider the relationship between the monumentality of the church, and the easy portability of the artist’s chosen media. Pencil is a remarkably versatile material: capable of capturing both the grand scale of the church’s facade, and its intricate details. Look closely, and you’ll notice the varied marks Clausen made, from light, suggestive lines indicating the building’s overall form, to darker, more emphatic strokes delineating its architectural features and ornamentation. The sketch format suggests a moment of observation, of capturing the essence of a place. It also serves to democratize the image, stripping it bare. As such, Clausen's drawing practice invites us to think about the accessibility of art, and its potential to connect us with our built environment in a new way.