Portico in Ruins 1799

Cecilie Arens made this sepia drawing of a Portico in Ruins, sometime between 1750 and 1849. The sepia ink lends itself well to architectural subjects like this, as it mimics the faded grandeur of ancient structures. You see the warm monochrome palette of the ink washes, creating a soft, atmospheric effect, different from the precision and detail of a pencil or pen drawing. Sepia, made from the ink sacs of cuttlefish, was favoured for its tonal range and permanence. The application of the sepia ink, likely with brushes of varying sizes, allowed Arens to achieve subtle gradations of light and shadow, adding depth and volume to the architectural forms. The controlled washes suggest a mastery of technique, building up layers of tone to create a sense of atmosphere and decay. Arens, likely a woman working in the sphere of decorative arts, invites us to consider how materials and making contribute to our understanding of art and its cultural value.