Portaal van de Kathedraal van Sevilla c. 1850

Pierre Joseph Hubert Cuypers made this drawing of the portal of the Cathedral of Seville with pencil on paper. The physical properties of pencil—its ability to create fine, precise lines—influence the appearance of the drawing. The texture of the paper also plays a role, providing a slightly rough surface that subtly affects the pencil’s mark. Cuypers likely used a variety of pencils, each with a different hardness, to achieve variations in tone and line weight, using softer pencils for darker shades and harder pencils for finer details. The drawing required a high degree of skill and precision, reflecting Cuypers' training in architectural drawing. The act of drawing itself, translating a three-dimensional structure onto a two-dimensional surface, involves careful observation, measurement, and technical proficiency. This work invites us to appreciate the skill involved in its making and consider the value of craft-based practices in representing and interpreting the world around us.