Gezicht op de Salak, West-Java c. 1816 - 1846

This graphite drawing on paper, titled "Gezicht op de Salak, West-Java," was made by Adrianus Johannes Bik. Here, the artist captured the mountainous landscape of West Java with minimal means. The softness of the graphite allows for delicate shading, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. The drawing's immediacy speaks to the artist's direct engagement with the environment. Consider the labor involved in producing the materials themselves: the graphite mined and processed, the paper pulped and pressed. While seemingly simple, this drawing is connected to broader systems of resource extraction and production, reflecting the colonial context of the Dutch East Indies in which Bik was working. Paying attention to materials and making helps us understand the complex layers of meaning embedded within this seemingly straightforward landscape drawing. It challenges us to consider the social and economic forces that shape artistic production, blurring the lines between art, craft, and industry.