Farm Scene with Cottages (from Cropsey Album) 1866

This drawing of a farm scene with cottages was made by Jasper Francis Cropsey, using graphite on paper. At first glance, the image might seem simple, almost artless. But consider the labor embedded in those marks. Graphite pencils are straightforward and effective tools, and the image speaks to an aesthetic of efficiency. Cropsey uses hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and shadow, quickly conjuring form. The repetitive nature of applying these marks, building up the image layer by layer, evokes the routines of farm life. The drawing style also mirrors the division of labor of an agrarian landscape. The cottages and fences depicted, though modest, symbolize ownership and the demarcation of property. This reflects the social structures inherent in rural communities. Cropsey's choice of medium, the marks he makes, and the scene itself all speak to the relationship between labor, land, and the cultural value of landscapes. Recognizing the significance of these materials and making processes helps us look at the work anew, beyond any simple distinction between art and craft.