The Frigate Rotha 1812 - 1865

Carl Dahl made this drawing of "The Frigate Rotha" using graphite and gray wash on paper. The material itself is quite humble. It’s just pencil on paper. Yet Dahl’s technique elevates it. Look at the incredible detail, from the rigging to the subtle gradations of light on the sails. It shows real mastery. Think about the labor involved, not only in the drawing, but also in the ship itself. Each line represents hours of work, both by the artist and the shipbuilders. But beyond skill, this drawing also speaks to the immense labor of shipbuilding, an industry that fueled global trade and, yes, colonial power. The ship, in its way, is a celebration of that labor, even while it obscures the lives of those who built and sailed it. So, the next time you look at a drawing like this, remember it's not just about the image. It's about the materials, the making, and the context that give the artwork its full meaning.