Heuvellandschap 1854 - 1910

Willem Maris created this landscape with graphite on paper sometime during his lifetime, which spanned much of the 19th century. The very directness of drawing is interesting here. Maris wasn’t interested in presenting a finished picture; instead, he embraced the immediacy of the graphite to capture the essence of the landscape. Think about how the artist uses the side of the pencil to create broad textures, and sharper lines to define the edges of the hills. The material here is nothing fancy. Graphite is a humble material, a workhorse of artistic production and beyond. The very accessibility of drawing allowed Maris to quickly record his impressions of the landscape, engaging with the environment in an intimate way. Ultimately, this drawing is a reminder that artmaking isn't always about complex processes. Sometimes, it’s about embracing simple materials and techniques to create something beautiful.