Italiaanse boerin, naar rechts 1850

This drawing of an Italian peasant woman, made by August Allebé, probably in the mid-19th century, shows the artist's mastery of a traditional medium: graphite on paper. The material itself—graphite—is key to understanding the image. Think of the soft, grey sheen of a pencil lead, and you can imagine the qualities Allebé coaxed from it. See how he modulates the pressure, building up shadows and textures with countless tiny strokes? Look closely, and you’ll see the way the graphite catches the light, giving a subtle, almost shimmering effect. The drawing is a clear celebration of the working class. The scene depicts a rural worker in her traditional clothing. Allebé’s choice of graphite, with its inherently modest character, aligns perfectly with the subject matter. There's a directness and honesty here, a rejection of the grandiosity often associated with fine art. The drawing invites us to reconsider the value we place on different kinds of labor, both artistic and agricultural.