Vijf paardenstudies 1832 - 1902

Editor: So this is "Vijf paardenstudies," or "Five Studies of Horses," by Karel Frederik Bombled, created sometime between 1832 and 1902. It's a pencil drawing on paper. It’s quite charming…almost like a page torn from a sketchbook. What do you make of it? Curator: What immediately strikes me is how this piece invites us to consider the *process* of art making. It's not a finished painting meant for grand display, but rather a glimpse into the artist's labor, the physical act of observation and reproduction using relatively simple materials. Editor: I see what you mean. It’s interesting to think of it as labour. How so? Curator: The pencil, the paper: these are relatively accessible materials. Bombled's expertise isn't just in capturing the likeness of horses, but also in skillfully manipulating these materials to depict weight, texture, movement…even the implied sounds of hooves on water. Do you think that is the point of this artwork, rather than a 'portrait' of horses? Editor: I guess I assumed these were quick sketches for something bigger, like studies for a painting? Curator: Precisely! We might consider what these sketches *do*. Perhaps they were commissioned as part of a breeding program. They are documents as much as 'art'. And also they invite us to look at how this art comes from the culture that supports it. Do you think the means of production impacts the final aesthetic? Editor: Definitely. If this had been oil paint, it would tell a different story about wealth and maybe the perceived importance of the subject matter. Curator: Exactly! Bombled’s choice of medium emphasizes a specific way of engaging with his subject and his practice. He probably sought for this raw material somewhere; paper and pencils… there's an industry and a social world involved in making them. This reminds us of how important it is to look behind art! Editor: I’ve never really considered all of the implications of just choosing a pencil. Thanks for opening my eyes.