Landschap c. 1881 - 1888

This landscape sketch was made by Anton Mauve, using graphite on paper. The marks left behind by the graphite offer a window into Mauve’s creative process. Notice how the varying pressure of the graphite creates lines of different weight and intensity, giving a sense of depth and texture to the landscape. This piece may not be considered a highly polished or finished work, yet the directness of the medium and the artist’s hand imbue it with a unique sense of immediacy. We can almost see the artist at work, rapidly capturing the essence of the scene before him. This intimate glimpse into the artist's process reminds us that the value of art lies not only in the final product, but in the labor, material and methods that brought it into being.