Bowling farmer 

Theodor Alt drew this scene of a bowling farmer using graphite on paper. The artist has chosen a humble material to depict a humble scene of a bowling alley, in which the bowlers and onlookers are common folk. In this work, the artist is primarily concerned with the depiction of the bowling farmer and those watching him. These figures have been made with precise and controlled marks, and some areas of heavy shading that give definition to the figures, and their garments. Notice how the artist has used shading, hatching, and fine strokes to add detail and depth to the overall composition of the image. Using graphite on paper allowed the artist to build up layers of tone. In this way, Alt captures the essence of everyday life of the working class, and invites us to reconsider traditional notions of fine art.