Curatorial notes
David Cox rendered this River Scene using graphite on paper sometime in the 19th century. As humble materials go, graphite and paper have a strong association with the working artist. Think of graphite’s use in preliminary sketches, which enable a more refined, detailed process. Here, the soft, grey graphite has allowed Cox to create texture and atmospheric effects on the surface of the paper; the controlled application of graphite suggesting light as it reflects off the water. The marks are quick, capturing the scene with spontaneous energy, yet there is also control in the way the artist layers the graphite to build up tone and volume. This process allows for a kind of realism; it is rooted in the everyday, but also gives a sense of something fleeting, almost dreamlike. In this way, the use of humble materials like graphite enables both accurate depiction and atmospheric effect, showing us how the careful selection of materials and processes helps to create an image that transcends mere representation.