Siegfried and the Rhine Maidens 

Henri Fantin-Latour made this drawing, Siegfried and the Rhine Maidens, using charcoal and touches of white chalk on paper. Fantin-Latour chose charcoal, an easily accessible material, grounding the artwork in everyday making, and allowing for bold tonal contrasts. The marks are broad, and energetic, resulting in an unfinished sketch-like quality. This adds to the immediacy of the image, as the artist swiftly works the material in dynamic compositions to conjure drama and movement. With simple tools and techniques, charcoal is able to suggest depth, texture, and atmosphere. Fantin-Latour was an important painter, but his work in lithography and charcoal demonstrates his commitment to art forms often considered secondary. This reveals the artist's deep engagement with the material qualities of the medium. Fantin-Latour challenges traditional hierarchies within art history, questioning distinctions between fine art and craft.