Sion c. 1830

Samuel Prout made this drawing of Sion with graphite and watercolor on paper. It’s not high art, but it is skillful. The use of graphite allows for precise detailing of the town’s architecture, capturing the texture of the aged stone and the intricate woodwork of the buildings. Notice how the washes of watercolor add depth and atmosphere, suggesting the quality of light in the Swiss Alps. The artist has engaged with traditions of architectural drawing and watercolor painting. It’s the work of an artist who is deeply familiar with the traditions of representing urban space, and who's also considering the lives of the working people within it. Prout’s choice of media speaks to a broader social context. Graphite and watercolor were relatively accessible materials. The drawing itself is not about material wealth but about capturing a moment in time. It prompts us to consider the value of observation and skill in depicting everyday life, blurring the boundaries between fine art and the more quotidian practice of recording the world around us.