Matterhorn Possibly 1858 - 1859

This is Johannes Tavenraat’s sketch of the Matterhorn, made with graphite on paper sometime in the mid-19th century. It is deceptively simple, using humble materials to capture a sublime subject. Although a pencil sketch might seem a world away from industrial production, it’s worth remembering that graphite itself was by then being mined and processed on an industrial scale, its production feeding a ravenous demand for drawing materials. Tavenraat’s work offers a contrast between the hard labor involved in mining and the ease with which he renders the mountain’s jagged peaks. The softness of the graphite allows him to suggest the textures of snow, rock, and shadow. Consider the ease with which the artist could carry these materials up a mountain and capture a fleeting moment in time. In doing so, Tavenraat elevates a readily available material to the realm of fine art, blurring the lines between industrial materials and artistic expression.