Boom 1874 - 1875

Willem Cornelis Rip created this drawing, Boom, with graphite on paper. Graphite, in its essence, is humble—the stuff of everyday pencils. In Rip's hands, however, it becomes a tool for exploring the natural world. Look closely and you'll see the delicate strokes, the way he builds up tone to create the texture of leaves and branches. It’s fascinating how the artist coaxes so much depth and complexity from such a modest material. In Boom, the density of graphite suggests the thickness and weight of tree branches, as well as the labor of close observation, each stroke contributing to the overall form. This drawing practice, while it might seem simple, connects with larger social issues of labor and the artist's role in depicting the world around them. The act of drawing itself, a process often overlooked, is crucial to understanding art, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.