Gezicht op het Sjaerdemaslot te Franeker 1619 - 1690

Anthonie Waterloo made this drawing of the Sjaerdemaslot in Franeker with graphite on paper. Graphite, commonly known as pencil lead, has a greasy quality that allows it to glide across the fibers of the page, leaving a trail of dark grey. Notice how Waterloo manipulates the material's inherent qualities, pressing harder for darker lines, and using a lighter touch to suggest the hazy distance. The tooth of the paper also plays a role, its texture catching the graphite and creating subtle variations in tone. Before industrialization, producing graphite involved laborious mining and processing. This drawing reminds us that even seemingly simple materials have a history, connecting the artist's hand to complex systems of labor, trade, and technology. Paying attention to materials, making, and context is crucial to understanding the full meaning of an artwork, and challenges the traditional divide between art and craft.