Gezicht in een park met een grote vijver 1807 - 1861

Cornelis Steffelaar made this drawing of a park with a large pond sometime in the first half of the 19th century, using graphite and brush in gray ink. The artist built up the image through careful application of line and wash. You can see a whole range of graphite marks, from very light, almost imperceptible hatching, to firm outlines and details. The gray washes add a tonal depth, suggesting atmosphere and light. The surface of the pond shimmers, thanks to the contrast between the white paper and the soft grey ink. The drawing seems very immediate, almost like a quick sketch done on the spot. But the control of the graphite and ink, and the precision of observation, suggest a practiced hand. The landscape tradition was of course central to European art at this time, and as this work shows, even an apparently modest drawing can embody great skill, and subtle understanding of the natural world.