Schepen op de Maas 1876 - 1910

Alphonse Stengelin made this drawing of ships on the Maas River using graphite on paper. It's a study in tone and texture, achieved through the manipulation of a very simple material, and with an equally simple tool. Think about it – a pencil is just a stick of graphite encased in wood. But in Stengelin's hands, it becomes capable of capturing the subtle nuances of light on water, the solid presence of the ships, and the atmospheric perspective that suggests depth. He coaxes a full range of values from the graphite, from the softest grays in the sky to the darkest shadows beneath the boats. And consider the amount of work involved. Each line, each shadow, carefully rendered to create this scene. Stengelin's skill transforms the humble pencil into a powerful tool for artistic expression. It's a reminder that sometimes, the simplest materials, combined with skill and vision, can produce the most compelling art.