Scene from Literature (from McGuire Scapbook) 1813 - 1884

Tompkins Harrison Matteson made this graphite drawing, "Scene from Literature," sometime in the 19th century. It is a study, a preliminary sketch, and the quickness of the medium suits that purpose perfectly. Graphite offers a spectrum of marks, from almost invisible lines to dark, emphatic strokes. Matteson has used this to his advantage, suggesting depth and drama with minimal effort. The architectural details and figures are lightly sketched, almost ghostly, but the expressions on the two main figures are more defined, giving them a sense of immediate presence. Drawings like this give insight into artistic processes. In his era, Matteson would likely have made many such studies to prepare for a painting. The labor wasn't just in the finished work but also in these unseen, preparatory stages. By valuing this drawing, we acknowledge the full scope of skill and effort behind artistic creation, blurring the lines between sketch and finished product.