Villa Chigi in Ariccia 1824

Ernst Fries made this pencil drawing, Villa Chigi in Ariccia, sometime in the early 19th century. The thin graphite lines on paper invite us to consider mark-making as a fundamental form of labor. Pencil, especially in the 1800s, was more than just a drawing tool. It was an instrument of exploration, documentation, and early industrial production. Unlike the laborious process of mixing paints, pencil offered immediacy and portability, aligning perfectly with the era's burgeoning scientific and artistic pursuits. Fries's choice of medium is thus telling. The architectural structure is captured in the drawing, but so is its setting, blurring the lines between precise architectural rendering and the experience of being on site. This drawing offers a glimpse into a world where art, science, and industry converged. Considering the material, making, and context invites a broader understanding, challenging any hierarchical divide between fine art and craft.