Sailing Boat c. 1897

This pencil drawing of a fisherman was created by Heinrich Kuhn. The artist's medium is humble. Pencil on paper is about as basic as it gets, but it can become an eloquent tool in skilled hands. You see that here, in the way that Kuhn captures the subject’s weathered face, suggesting a life lived outdoors. The materiality of the drawing influences its appearance in the directness of the strokes. The lines are not hidden, but remain visible for the viewer to see. In this way, the artist is in command of his medium. There's no artifice or grandstanding here, just a commitment to the skill in his hand. There is also a social dimension to consider. The fisherman’s attire, with its simple hat and necktie, suggests an ordinary person, someone who has to work for a living. Kuhn’s approach to portraiture celebrates the everyday and emphasizes the dignity of labor. This emphasis on process and social context allows for a deeper understanding of the artist's intentions.