Lezende vrouw in een ligstoel op het strand c. 1850 - 1950

This sketch of a woman in a deckchair, by Monogrammist DS, was created with graphite on paper. Graphite, in its essence, is pure carbon. It’s a relatively soft material, which allows it to leave marks on paper, and the varying pressure applied by the artist’s hand determines the tone and depth of the lines. In this drawing, the artist uses these tonal variations to suggest form and shadow, with soft, smudged areas creating atmospheric depth. While it may seem like a quick study, it's worth considering that even a simple sketch is deeply connected to social conditions. Access to materials like quality paper and graphite pencils would have depended on economic privilege. Furthermore, the act of leisurely sketching on a beach suggests a level of social freedom and access to leisure activities, indicative of a specific class position in the late 19th and early 20th century. So even in what seems like a fleeting image, we can see the broader implications of materials, making, and social context.