Arbeider leunend op de steel van een stuk landbouwgereedschap 1848 - 1888

This sketch by Anton Mauve, whose dates are 1838 to 1888, is executed in graphite on paper. The artist is using the most elemental of tools, pencil, and paper, the former made from graphite mined from the earth, and the latter from pulped plant fibers. Mauve quickly captures the figure of a laborer resting on his tool. The economy of the strokes speaks to the artist’s mastery. The composition and the medium itself work hand in hand to convey a sense of immediacy and the routine of labor. Every mark on the page contributes to the overall effect, and the seemingly simple choice of graphite underscores the themes of labor and the everyday. Consider the amount of work that is reflected in this drawing. Mauve’s skill in artmaking, and the laborer’s work in the field. By appreciating the materials and methods used, we gain a richer understanding of the artwork's message.