De Winter 1872

Charles Rochussen made this drawing, "De Winter," with pen in brown ink and brush in gray. The muted tones give a softness to the stark winter scene. Rochussen's technique involved layering delicate washes of gray ink, building up depth and atmosphere. Note how the thin lines of the pen create the bare branches of the trees, while the brushwork adds texture to the figures' clothing and the surrounding landscape. The artist also masterfully uses the white of the paper to mimic the winter light reflecting off the snow. Drawings like these were more than just sketches; they were often made for reproduction as prints. This brings to mind the world of publishing, commerce, and popular culture. Rochussen was working in a world where art was becoming more accessible to a wider audience, blurring the lines between high art and everyday life.