Studiehoved af Alpins søn 1815

This is "Studiehoved af Alpins søn", or "Study of Alpin's Son," a drawing made with graphite on paper by C.G. Kratzenstein Stub sometime before 1816. The most remarkable thing about drawings is their directness. A pencil is among the simplest tools, a humble material, and one that encourages a certain kind of immediacy. You can see this clearly in the artist's confident handling of tone and line, giving definition to the sitter’s face. The quality of the paper is also important, note its slightly rough texture. It would have been relatively inexpensive, further contributing to the sketch’s accessibility. The artist’s hand, the properties of graphite, the tooth of the paper – all come together to give this work its subtle but lasting impact. It reminds us that even the simplest means can result in an elegant work of art.