Dorpsgezicht met kerk c. 1879

Theo Hanrath made this drawing of a village with a church using graphite. The scene is built on tonal variations from the soft, smudged grey of the sky to the darker marks defining the rooftops and the church spire. The artist uses a semiotic system of light and dark to create a sense of depth. Notice how the density of the graphite increases towards the bottom, suggesting a foreground, while the lighter, more diffuse marks indicate distance. The composition is structured around the verticality of the church spire, a traditional symbol, yet the overall effect is one of quiet observation rather than overt symbolism. The sketch favors an exploration of form through light and shadow, characteristic of the formal qualities in art. It invites us to consider how simple marks can evoke a sense of place and atmosphere.