Grabmal der Horatier und Curiatier 29 - 1818

Joseph Thürmer rendered this drawing, "Grabmal der Horatier und Curiatier," with graphite on paper, deploying the most fundamental of artistic mediums: line. In this delicate scene, Thürmer's draftsmanship captures not only the ancient ruins, but also suggests a timeless, contemplative moment. The graphite lends itself to the nuanced gradations of light and shadow, evoking a sense of atmosphere. It is a medium readily available and easily transportable, perfectly suited to the artist working en plein air or sketching ideas in the studio. Consider the contrast between the raw, immediate nature of drawing and the imposing, monumental subject matter. The crumbling stone structures speak of human labor, the lives and deaths of those who built and were buried there. Thürmer, by choosing a humble medium, brings us closer to the human scale of history. It reminds us that all grand narratives are ultimately constructed from simple means.