Edge of forest 1891

Isaac Levitan made this drawing, "Edge of Forest", with graphite on paper. These are modest materials – the kind you'd find in any school classroom. But look closely at the variations Levitan coaxes from them. See how the soft, smudged graphite creates atmosphere and depth. The drawing captures the texture of bark, the density of foliage, and the way light filters through the trees. You can almost feel the breeze rustling the leaves. The technique involved here isn't about virtuosity, but about observation and sensitivity. Levitan seems to have been deeply attuned to the natural world, and his drawing is a testament to the value of close attention. This work invites us to consider the value we place on different kinds of making. Is a quick sketch like this somehow less significant than a grand, elaborate painting? I would argue not. It reminds us that profound insights can be found in the simplest of materials and processes.