Sketchbook Page c. 1880

This page of sketches was made by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, using graphite on paper. It’s a quick study, not a finished work of art, and it gives us insight into his process. The thin, wiry lines capture figures and horses with remarkable economy. Notice the subtle variations in pressure, creating a sense of depth and movement, of life. This is drawing at its most fundamental, a direct translation of observation into line. Considered this way, even a humble sketchbook page can take on significance. It reminds us that artistic skill is rooted in practice, in the everyday act of seeing and recording. It challenges the idea of the artist as a genius, instead highlighting the value of labor, and the constant refinement of craft.