Landschap met boerderij en schuur 1870 - 1931

This landscape with farm and barn was made by Willem Bastiaan Tholen using graphite on paper. Tholen's choice of graphite, a humble material, allows for a remarkable subtlety in depicting the scene. The artist coaxes a wide range of tones from it, creating depth and atmosphere. Look closely, and you'll see the distinct marks of the graphite pencil: the texture of the lines creates the impression of a breezy, overcast day, and the quick strokes with which Tholen renders trees and buildings have an en plein air quality, as if captured swiftly on-site. In its emphasis on materiality, the drawing reveals the artist's hand and the amount of work involved in the production process. Yet it also transcends its humble materials through the skill and artistry applied to it, reminding us that the value of art lies not just in the materials used, but in the vision and craft of the artist.