Skibe i stille vejr på søen 1883

This evocative image of boats on a still lake, by Vilhelm Kyhn, was achieved with graphite on paper. Graphite pencils are a relatively modern technology, made possible by industrialization and the efficient milling of wood. Look closely, and you can see how Kyhn has used the inherent qualities of this material to great effect. Varying the pressure of his pencil, he articulates the subtle gradations of light on the water, and the crisp detail of the boats. The marks on the page range from smooth, soft gradients in the sky, to the hard, precise lines of the rigging. This careful attention to the craft of drawing has imbued the image with a sense of calm and contemplation. Of course, the boats themselves also represent a kind of labor – fishing, transport, and the movement of goods. These are all suggested in the scene, but perhaps more importantly, so is the careful labor of the artist, who has preserved this fleeting moment in time. The drawing reminds us that all images are made.