Flussgegend, rechts ansteigendes Gebirge, im Vordergrund bei einem Dorf drei Figuren 

Franz Schütz created this drawing of a river landscape with pen and brown ink around the 1770s. The artist has used the simple materials of paper, pen and ink to create a scene that is at once sweeping and intimate. The controlled application of fine lines allows for rendering of various textures, from the rough bark of the trees to the smooth surface of the water. This is no mere transcription of the natural world, but rather a carefully constructed image. Note how Schütz uses the layering of lines to create depth and distance. The artist’s hand is evident in every stroke, a reminder of the labor involved in creating even a seemingly simple drawing like this one. Although the image depicts figures at rest, they are framed by signs of dwelling and cultivation, each implying human toil. Paying attention to materials, techniques, and how this artwork reflects the social context of its time helps us appreciate the ways in which art intersects with the broader world of making.