Studie, mogelijk omgehakte boomstammen 1848 - 1888

Editor: This is a drawing by Anton Mauve, made between 1848 and 1888, called "Studie, mogelijk omgehakte boomstammen"—"Study, possibly chopped tree trunks." It’s made with pencil on paper. It feels unfinished, a quick impression maybe. What jumps out at you about this work? Curator: For me, it's the labor embedded in this "quick impression" that fascinates. We see the direct evidence of Mauve’s hand, the physical act of applying pencil to paper. But let's consider the 'possibly chopped tree trunks'. Were these trees felled for timber? Who performed that labor? This sketch hints at a larger system of resource extraction and its impact on the landscape. Do you think Mauve was interested in portraying that social dynamic? Editor: I hadn't thought of it that way, more focused on the artistic process. It’s interesting to consider the other types of work represented. How would examining Mauve's materials – the paper, the pencils – inform your perspective? Curator: Precisely. Where did the paper come from? What kind of pencil was used, and by whom was it manufactured? Understanding the means of production adds another layer of complexity, revealing connections to industrial processes and global trade networks. This challenges the romantic idea of the artist as a solitary genius by implicating a whole network of labour in its creation. Editor: So, by tracing the origins of even the simplest materials, we uncover a story far beyond the surface of the drawing. Curator: Exactly! This seemingly simple sketch, born of natural resources, exposes a complex interplay of labour, consumption, and the artist's engagement within that system. The material tells its own story. Editor: That’s really opened my eyes. I was seeing just lines on paper, now I see an iceberg of production! Curator: Indeed. Hopefully, it’ll inform the way you engage with all artworks going forward.