Drie ruiters, onder wie één vrouw, op een pad tussen de bomen 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this drawing of three riders on a path between the trees with graphite on paper. The artist has captured the essence of a fleeting moment using a minimal amount of material: the tooth of the paper and responsive qualities of graphite. The surface of the paper is completely covered in marks, creating an ethereal scene with tone and texture achieved through the application of layered graphite, with smudging and blurring to create atmosphere and movement. Light and shadow create a sense of depth within the composition, drawing us into the scene. This work stands as a testament to the power of drawing as a fundamental skill, and preliminary means through which artists develop their visual language, alongside the traditions of fine art and craftsmanship. By appreciating the materiality and making process, we gain a fuller understanding of its artistic expression.