Sleeping wolf c. 1830s

Johann Nepomuk Rauch made this sketch of a sleeping wolf with graphite on paper. The first thing you notice is the economy of means, the softness of the graphite lending itself to gentle shading. Rauch coaxes the fur into being with just a few strokes. See how he concentrates the marks around the wolf’s head and paws, leaving the belly almost untouched? It’s a study in the manipulation of light and shadow, achieved with minimal effort. Drawing like this was a common practice in the 19th century. Artists honed their skills by capturing scenes from life, and the immediacy of graphite allowed them to quickly record their observations. This sketch isn’t just a portrait of a sleeping wolf; it’s a testament to the artist’s skill and the power of simple materials. It encourages us to look closely, appreciate the subtleties of tone and texture, and recognize that beauty can be found even in the most humble of materials.