En lille mand står på tæerne for at åbne en dør med slå. Rids af profiler og kvinde 1810 - 1873

Wilhelm Marstrand made this drawing with graphite on paper. It's a quick study, not meant for display. Marstrand used graphite, a readily available material. He chose paper, a mass-produced ground. These materials allowed for quick notation and easy edits. In the social context of the 19th century, drawing was not just about producing finished artworks but also about thinking, and developing ideas. The qualities of graphite, its ability to create subtle gradations of tone and fine lines, are evident in the delicate rendering of the figure. Look closely, and you'll see how the artist captures the tension in the man's body as he strains to reach the latch. This sketch provides insight into the artist’s process, revealing the amount of labor and thought that goes into creating a final work. This drawing challenges our assumptions about the value of different artistic practices. It reminds us that the process of making is just as important as the final product.