Landschap met boerderij c. 1846 - 1851

This is Willem Roelofs’s "Landschap met boerderij," made with graphite on paper. Roelofs was deeply engaged with the Dutch landscape, and here we see him using the simplest of means to capture a rural scene. Graphite, essentially processed carbon, is a humble material, yet it can be manipulated to achieve a wide range of tonal values, from light, feathery lines to dense, dark shadows. In this drawing, the artist has used it to create a sense of depth and atmosphere with economical means. The strokes appear light and quick. It’s fascinating to consider the relationship between this drawing and the industrialized world that was emerging during Roelofs’s time. The graphite itself might have been mined and processed using modern techniques, yet the scene it depicts is one of rural simplicity, seemingly untouched by the forces of industrialization. The drawing can serve as a reminder of the value of traditional ways of life, and of the importance of preserving our connection to the natural world.