City View 1885

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing of a city view using graphite on paper. Graphite, a readily available material, is formed into pencils, an efficient tool for capturing the urban landscape. The rough texture of the paper and the varying pressure applied by the artist create a range of tones, from light grays to deep blacks. Look closely at how the strokes of graphite define forms like buildings, trees, and figures. Notice the weight of the lines, thick in some areas and thin in others, mirroring the artist's perception. Van Gogh's choice of medium is significant; graphite's accessibility democratizes art-making, reflecting a connection to the working class. The simplicity of the materials, coupled with Van Gogh's skilled hand, invites us to see the beauty in everyday scenes, challenging traditional hierarchies in art. It underscores the artistic potential in the mundane, and the skill in translating it.