Heuvellandschap 1840 - 1845

This landscape was quickly captured with graphite on paper by Johannes Tavenraat. Notice how the artist's choice of graphite as a medium allows for a remarkable range of tones. The varying pressure applied to the pencil creates depth and atmosphere. The softness of graphite lends itself well to the organic forms of the hills and foliage. It’s a readily available, inexpensive material, perfect for capturing fleeting moments of inspiration while working outdoors. But consider the labor involved in producing graphite pencils: from mining the raw material to shaping the wood and assembling the final product. The ease with which Tavenraat sketches this landscape belies the complex networks of production and consumption that enable his art-making. The sketch is an intimate look into the creative process, but also a reminder of the wider social context in which even the simplest of materials are produced.