Kinderen bekijken een schilderij of spiegel op een straat c. 1858

Bastiaan de Poorter made this drawing, "Kinderen bekijken een schilderij of spiegel op een straat", using graphite on paper. De Poorter’s choice of medium gives the work an immediacy, a glimpse into his process. The graphite pencil is a humble, direct tool, leaving traces that capture the ephemeral quality of a sketch. Its inherent qualities of texture and tone are fully explored across the sheet. Notice how the artist has built up tone with layered strokes, creating depth and shadow. The lines are soft and unassuming, giving the whole piece an air of informality. Yet, they capture fleeting observations. De Poorter was trained as a sculptor, a discipline that prizes preparatory drawing and study. The ease of the material suggests the beginnings of a greater artistic plan, and the use of a simple material—pencil—allows the artist to focus on the underlying structure and essence of the scene. This kind of art challenges the traditional hierarchy separating “fine art” from other, more functional creative outputs.