Highlands 

Franz Kobell made this drawing, *Highlands*, using pen and brown ink. The material economy here is humble: just paper, ink and the hand of the artist. Yet, consider the skill it took to evoke such a scene with so few marks. Note the short, repetitive strokes indicating shadow, and the more descriptive lines that delineate the rock formations. The entire composition hinges on Kobell’s masterful control of the pen. Drawings like this were a staple of the art market in the 18th century, and were often produced in multiples, some later being turned into engravings for wide distribution. This speaks to a burgeoning culture of landscape appreciation and a desire for art that was accessible to a broad audience. So, next time you see a drawing, think about the artist’s hand. Think, too, about how even the simplest materials can convey profound meaning when handled with skill and care. It challenges us to consider the value of both artistic labor and the materials themselves.