Cana of Gahlee (from Sketchbook) 1904

Mary Newbold Sargent sketched this landscape, Cana of Gahlee, with graphite on paper. The artist's hand moves swiftly, capturing the light and shadows across the terrain with energetic strokes. The softness of the graphite allows for subtle gradations of tone, creating depth and atmosphere. You can see the marks build up, darker where the artist wanted to convey solidity. The drawing appears spontaneous, less concerned with precise representation than with the feeling of being in a particular place. Though Sargent may have been an amateur artist, this sketch shows her command of a tradition that goes back centuries. The quickly executed landscape drawing was a staple of artistic practice, a way to record observations and hone skills. Considering the role of drawing in art history reminds us that all creative work is built on a foundation of technique and material understanding. It’s a reminder that what we call ‘art’ often emerges from everyday practices.