Hek naast een hooischuur en een liggende hond c. 1840 - 1843

Sybrand Altmann created this graphite sketch, "Hek naast een hooischuur en een liggende hond," capturing a rural scene with just a few simple marks on paper. The artist’s hand is evident in the varying line weights and soft gradations of tone, achieved by layering graphite. You can almost feel the tooth of the paper. The choice of graphite, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, speaks to the tradition of sketching as a fundamental practice for artists to capture the world around them. This scene, with its hay barn, fence, and resting dog, depicts the pastoral landscapes that were quickly disappearing in the face of industrialization. It is a humble scene, but rendered with care and precision. Altmann used graphite not just as a tool for documentation, but as a way to evoke a sense of place, and perhaps, a yearning for a simpler way of life. Paying attention to the materials and the making of art like this helps us to see beyond the image itself, and appreciate the cultural values it embodies.