Paestum c. 1840

This drawing of Paestum was made by William Leighton Leitch, likely on site, using graphite on paper. The softness of the graphite allows for the subtle gradations of light and shadow that define the classical ruins and the surrounding landscape. Leitch likely used a range of graphite grades, from harder pencils for the crisp architectural details to softer ones for the atmospheric effects. Notice how the strokes of the graphite follow the forms, creating texture in the rocks and foliage. The repetitive marks must have been made quickly, as though trying to capture the scene as fast as possible, with the sun moving across the scene. The very act of drawing is an intimate encounter with a place, isn’t it? By focusing on the material of this drawing and how it was handled, we can appreciate the artist’s skill in translating a monumental scene into a personal vision. This drawing is a reminder that even in the age of mechanical reproduction, the hand-drawn image retains its unique power and value.