Landschap met hooibalen c. 1803 - 1818

This pencil sketch of a landscape with hay bales was made by Arnoldus Johannes Eymer in the 19th century. The artist chose a humble, everyday scene as his subject. It's clear that Eymer wasn't after grand effects, but instead was interested in the patient accumulation of marks on paper. Think about the character of graphite, how it smudges and shines. Notice the artist's delicate touch, building up the forms of the hay bales with short, quick strokes. The sketch feels immediate and intimate, as though we're looking over the artist's shoulder as he works. You can almost feel the texture of the paper, and the soft give of the pencil as it moves across the surface. This drawing reminds us that even the simplest materials can be used to create something beautiful and meaningful. And it challenges us to think about the value of everyday labor, and the beauty that can be found in the most ordinary of scenes.