Mountain landscape 1856

Józef Simmler made this drawing of a mountain landscape using graphite on paper. The qualities of the graphite medium are very apparent, with the artist laying down many parallel lines to build up tone, texture, weight, and form. It’s likely he made the sketch ‘en plein air,’ directly in the landscape. This mirrors the labor of those who built the houses and the bridge depicted; the artist’s labor is evident in his focus and detailed depiction of the natural world. Graphite, though seemingly simple, has a complex social context, with the substance being mined and processed before being formed into pencils. Simmler is participating in a long lineage of observational drawing and painting. While on first glance, it may appear to be merely a sketch, Simmler’s use of graphite elevates the scene, transforming the mundane into something of artistic value.