Crossed Legs of Standing Figure n.d.

John Downman made this drawing of legs with graphite on paper sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The material qualities of graphite allow for a wide range of tonal variation, from delicate, silvery lines to dense, almost metallic shading. You can see how Downman exploited this quality to give a sense of three-dimensionality to the legs and feet. The visible marks of the graphite stick record his hand movements, capturing the textures of fabric and flesh. The choice of drawing as a medium also speaks to the context in which Downman was working. Drawing was regarded as an essential skill for artists at the time, and was associated with immediacy and directness of expression. But the act of drawing also served a social function, as it was seen as a marker of refinement and taste. By focusing on the way it was made, we can appreciate the significance of the medium and the drawing process itself, and challenge the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.