Horse c. 1860s

Emanuel Leutze rendered this horse with graphite on paper. The choice of material and process here is telling. Graphite, easily erasable, allows for studies and quick sketches, a world away from the labor-intensive, permanent medium of oil paint usually favored by Leutze. This drawing captures the immediacy of observation. You can see the texture of the paper coming through, almost like the rugged terrain the horse might traverse. The saddle is meticulously detailed. This modest drawing can be understood in relation to the larger history of both fine art and craft. On the one hand, sketching is a quick and easy process that allows for the instant creation of the artwork. At the same time, the skills required to master graphite drawing require years of training. The amount of ‘work’ embedded in this drawing is related to the artistic experience. Ultimately, the drawing highlights the relationship between labor, skill, and artistic expression.