Bomengroep c. 1850 - 1950

Monogrammist DS created this drawing of a group of trees, using graphite on paper. The artist coaxes a surprising range of effects from the pencil. Notice the sharp, dark lines that define the tree trunks, contrasted with the softer, smudged areas suggesting foliage and ground cover. The marks give us insight into the artist's working process. You can almost feel the pressure of the graphite on the page, the rhythm of the hand moving back and forth to build up tone and texture. This directness of process has a social significance too. Unlike the time-consuming labor of painting, drawing is immediate, democratic, and portable. Drawings like this one were often made *en plein air*, directly in front of the subject, allowing for a personal and intimate connection with the natural world. The immediacy of the medium translates directly into the image, capturing a fleeting moment in time. In this way, drawing becomes more than just a preliminary sketch. It's a record of a lived experience, a testament to the artist's engagement with their surroundings.