Studieblad met figuren, honden, een vaas en boom 1839 - 1894

This is a sketch page by Lambertus Lingeman, from sometime in the 19th century, quickly rendered in graphite pencil. The artist uses this humble material to convey an entire world. Notice how the softness of the graphite allows for nuanced shading, bringing a sense of volume to the figures, dogs, vase, and tree depicted. You can almost feel the pressure of Lingeman's hand as he swiftly captures each form, with the ease of an academician well-versed in human and animal anatomy, and landscape conventions. The speed and simplicity of the graphite medium also suggests a directness of intention. It is almost as though we are looking over the artist's shoulder, gaining insight into his creative process as he practices mark-making and notation. In the end, by embracing the intrinsic qualities of graphite, Lingeman elevates a common material into an aesthetic experience. He also asks us to consider the value of practice itself, and the labor involved in producing even the most seemingly effortless image.