Eenden, waaronder zich wassende eenden en eenden in het water c. 1856 - 1870

Maria Vos made this drawing of ducks sometime in the 19th century, using graphite pencil on paper. The use of these materials places this work within a tradition of academic art practice, yet its subject matter and composition subvert the rigid hierarchy of genres that prevailed at that time. The graphite has been applied in varying degrees of pressure, which creates the light and shadows that give the ducks their volume. The softness of the pencil allows Vos to create blurred and imprecise lines that further emphasise the duck's movement. Consider that the use of readily available materials and quick techniques suggests a departure from highly laboured artistic conventions, but that there is still great skill involved in capturing the subject and their natural environment. By focusing on a simple subject matter, Vos elevates everyday life to an art form, challenging the traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.