A hut by a pond 

Carl Ernst Morgenstern created "A Hut by a Pond" using graphite on paper. The artist used carefully placed marks to evoke light and shadow. Look closely, and you can almost feel the textured surface of the paper beneath the graphite. By layering these marks, he coaxes out depth and atmosphere. The artist’s hand guides the graphite, allowing it to capture the rough bark of trees, still water, and the rough thatching of the roof. Note how the artist used the qualities of the material to build a picture, using different pressures to create a range of tonal values, from light to dark. This work shows how the simplest of tools, graphite and paper, when wielded with skill and sensitivity, can create a lasting impression. It is a testament to the value of everyday materials in high art.