Final vignette c. 1884

Wilhelm Steinhausen made this drawing, Final Vignette, using graphite on paper. Rather than the traditional medium of oil paint on canvas, Steinhausen chose humble materials. The lines are soft and delicate, but also sure, made to look effortless by a skilled hand. Here, the artist engages with drawing techniques, and skilled traditions akin to craft. The process of drawing creates this image with careful placement of each line, giving a sense of painstaking labour and intimate connection with the material. It is these qualities that give the work its social and cultural meaning. Steinhausen’s choice to employ graphite on paper elevates the medium, highlighting the importance of craft and making in art. This challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft. The simplicity of the materials makes the image accessible and relatable. The work serves as a potent reminder of the value of labor, skill, and materiality in the production of art.