Nike Temple 1890

This drawing of the Nike Temple was made by Themistocles von Eckenbrecher, using graphite and grey wash on paper. These are quite traditional materials, but the way the artist has used them is interesting. Notice how the graphite captures the detail of the temple's architecture, while the grey wash creates depth and shadow. The temple appears solid and monumental, yet the texture of the paper and the subtle variations in tone give it a sense of impermanence, as if the scene were fading before our eyes. The medium evokes the labor-intensive process involved in its creation. You sense the artist carefully building up the image layer by layer, much like the original stonemasons who constructed the temple itself. The choice of monochrome adds to the historical feel, while the composition of the image and the artist's technique prompt us to reflect on the passage of time, and the many hands that have shaped our cultural heritage.