A Refuge from the Storm (Shadow from the Heat) 1824 - 1909

David Pell Secor made this ink on paper drawing, A Refuge from the Storm (Shadow from the Heat), sometime in the 19th century. Look closely at the density of marks, layer upon layer, creating tone and texture. The technique is stippling - applying thousands of tiny dots - a process requiring patience and precision. Secor likely used a fine-pointed pen or stylus, building up the image bit by bit. Notice the contrast between the dense, shadowed foreground and the lighter areas where the ink is more sparse. This painstaking approach allowed Secor to achieve remarkable detail, from the texture of the leaves to the subtle gradations of light and shadow across the deer's bodies. Consider the labor involved. Each dot a deliberate action, a testament to the artist's dedication. This emphasis on process invites us to consider the value of skilled handwork, in contrast to the increasing mechanization of the industrial age in which Secor lived. Understanding the making allows us to appreciate the artist's skill, challenging any divide between craft and fine art.