Gezicht op Koblenz c. 1860 - 1865

This pencil drawing, "Gezicht op Koblenz," was created by Maria Vos sometime in the 19th century. Its apparent simplicity belies a sophisticated understanding of materials. Graphite pencil, a humble medium, is here used with precision to capture the atmospheric perspective of the city. The artist has harnessed the pencil’s capacity for subtle gradations of tone. Notice how the pressure applied to the pencil dictates the darkness of the line, suggesting depth and distance. The pencil marks on the page create a sense of immediacy, almost as if we are looking over the artist’s shoulder as she sketches. What is remarkable is the level of skill required to achieve such an understated effect. The drawing exemplifies a deliberate choice to elevate a simple medium to artistic expression. Vos' choice underscores the notion that artistic value is not inherent in costly or complex materials, but in the thoughtful and skillful application of any medium.