Landschap met een stenen toren met kantelen c. 1871 - 1878

This landscape drawing of a stone tower, created by Maria Vos, offers an interesting view into artistic practices of the 19th century. Rendered in graphite on paper, the work seems straightforward, yet the artist's chosen media speaks volumes. Graphite, commonly known as pencil, was by this period readily available due to industrial advancements, making art more accessible. The very act of sketching, once the domain of the elite, began to permeate everyday life. Consider the labor involved: the mining and processing of graphite, the manufacturing of pencils, and ultimately, the artist’s hand moving across the page. Vos has imbued her sketch with a tangible sense of place and atmosphere through the interplay of light and shadow. This work invites us to look beyond the image, prompting us to consider the social and economic forces that have shaped artistic expression. It challenges conventional notions of fine art by emphasizing the importance of materials, making, and context.