Old wall near Alatri 14 - 1831

This sketch of an old wall near Alatri was created by August Lucas, using graphite on paper. The focus here is really the material of the wall itself. Each block was likely quarried locally and transported. Stone masonry is incredibly labor intensive. It requires skilled workers to shape the blocks so they fit together with precision, creating a solid structure without mortar. Look at the variations in size and shape, the texture of the stone. The wall's irregular, monumental presence speaks to human effort and ingenuity. The lone figure, framed by the wall's opening, emphasizes the wall's scale and the generations who have passed through it. Paying attention to the materials and the making of art enriches our understanding, revealing histories of labor and the social context embedded within the artwork. It encourages us to rethink traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.