Gezicht op Bonn 1828

Jakob Dietzler made this drawing of Bonn with graphite on paper. Though seemingly simple, drawing is an act of both observation and interpretation, dependent on hand-eye coordination and the artist’s skill. Dietzler uses closely spaced parallel lines to shade different parts of the cityscape, creating a sense of depth and volume. Drawing was a vital tool in nineteenth-century Europe. Artists used it to document the world around them, or perhaps plan future paintings. The material conditions of graphite drawing – portable, easily reproducible – democratized image-making in a way that painting never could. Dietzler’s drawing highlights the slow, patient labor of the artist's hand. It serves as a reminder that all images are made, and that even the most seemingly straightforward depiction of reality is the product of someone’s work. By considering the processes of making, we can better appreciate the social and cultural significance of this seemingly simple work.