Building in Eindhoven (the Weigh-House) 1885

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing of the Weigh-House in Eindhoven using graphite on paper. A very direct, utilitarian choice of materials. Graphite pencils are of course produced industrially, but they emulate the immediacy of charcoal, a medium artists have used for centuries. This connects Van Gogh to a long lineage of image-making. The tooth of the paper also influences the appearance of the drawing, as the graphite catches on the surface. Van Gogh’s marks are quite visible, as he layered the pencil to build up darker tones, and the marks vary in direction. The hatching technique creates a sense of depth and shadow, bringing the building to life. The marks add expressive energy to the image, which suggests something of the artist's own, direct experience. It reminds us that even a humble drawing can communicate volumes about an artist's relationship to their subject.