A Stand of Elm Trees (recto); A Study of East Bergholt with the Church (verso) c. 1802

John Constable made this drawing of elm trees with graphite on paper, sometime in the early 19th century. Constable was deeply invested in the close observation of nature. Graphite was ideal for this purpose, being a relatively inexpensive and easily portable material. The apparent simplicity of the medium is deceptive, however. Good quality graphite was then a luxury product, imported from abroad, and the artist would have needed considerable skill to create the range of tones and textures we see here. Note the artist's close attention to the branching structure of the trees, and the subtle gradations of light and shadow. The drawing is not just a record of what Constable saw, but a testament to his deep engagement with the natural world, and his mastery of a humble but versatile material. This kind of intensive, material-based observation was a vital part of Constable’s practice, informing his finished landscape paintings. It invites us to consider the labor and skill involved in translating the complexities of the natural world into art.