Cumberland Market 

Muirhead Bone made this drawing of Cumberland Market using graphite on paper. Graphite is interesting: it’s basically the same material as diamond, pure carbon, but formed under different geological conditions. It’s soft enough to leave a mark on paper, and can be easily erased. In this case, Bone has used it to create a highly detailed and evocative scene of a bustling London marketplace. The inherent qualities of graphite, its capacity for fine lines and subtle shading, perfectly suit the subject matter. It is a snapshot of everyday life, where vendors and shoppers converge. The drawing shows a pre-industrial economy, where goods are transported by horse-drawn carts, and transactions occur face to face. Look at the labor implied in the scene – the farmers, merchants, and ordinary citizens all playing their part. Bone's choice of material and technique elevates this scene from a mere record to a work of art, asking us to consider the social fabric of the city and the individuals who make it thrive.