View of the Coast of Sorrento Near Vico 1800 - 1866

Carl Wilhelm Goetzloff created this drawing, "View of the Coast of Sorrento Near Vico," on paper using graphite. Note how Goetzloff captured the landscape with simple lines, creating texture and form. By building layers of graphite, he was able to give a sense of depth to the landscape. The choice of graphite on paper may reflect the rise of industrialization, with readily available materials that were easy to transport. The act of drawing itself, with its reliance on individual skill, stands in contrast to industrial modes of production. In this work, drawing becomes a way to capture the beauty of nature and immortalize the human interaction with the land, during a time of enormous social and economic change. Paying attention to the materials and processes used by artists like Goetzloff helps us appreciate the full meaning of their work, and challenges traditional distinctions between art, craft, and design.