Apollo 1765 - 1833

This image of Apollo was made by Gerhard Ludvig Lahde, using a method that emphasizes the hand and eye: drawing. Here, it’s not so much about the subject, the Greek god of music and light, but about the mode of production, the way that labor is embedded in the lines themselves. Notice how each contour is carefully delineated, the shading built up through precise hatching. This wasn't a quick sketch, but a considered, deliberate process. Lahde’s expertise comes through in his control of the medium; the evenness of the lines, the subtle gradations of tone. This wasn’t just technical mastery, but a commitment to craft, to the value of skilled work. In a world increasingly dominated by industrial processes, this kind of artwork stands as a testament to the enduring importance of human skill. It reminds us to look closely, and appreciate the labor that goes into even the simplest of images.