Boomstammen en figuurstudies 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this sketch, Boomstammen en figuurstudies, at an unknown date using graphite on paper. These aren't traditional art materials in the sense of, say, oil paint or bronze. They’re the tools of quick study and notation. Mauve has used graphite pencil to capture the texture and form of tree trunks, exploring their rough surfaces and cylindrical shapes with simple lines and shading. The marks on the page retain the qualities of immediacy, as Mauve likely sought to quickly record his observations of natural forms and human figures. It’s a scene tied to the social and political context of labor, representing the work involved in harvesting trees. By focusing on the materials and processes, we can better understand how this work blurs the lines between fine art and craft, elevating humble materials and everyday subjects to the realm of artistic expression.