Bospad 1878

This pencil drawing, Bospad, was made by Maria Vos. You can see how the graphite appears in slightly different shades, reflecting the artist's pressure and the pencil's hardness. The relative simplicity of the medium belies the skill required to create depth and form, especially the effect of sunlight filtering through the trees, which the artist captures through the light and shade contrasts, and the direction and thickness of the lines. The choice of such a portable and accessible medium also speaks to the artistic practices of the time, where sketching en plein air, or outdoors, was common. Pencil drawings like this were often studies for larger, more formal paintings, or created for personal expression. Looking at the image we get a sense of the artist's process, and the social context of artistic creation in the 19th century, helping us to look beyond the surface of the drawing itself.