Figuren op een straat met rijtjeshuizen c. 1873

Johannes Bosboom made this street scene with rows of houses using graphite on paper. The soft graphite, applied with varying pressure, allows the artist to suggest a quiet neighborhood through a range of greys. Bosboom coaxes depth from a humble material. Look at the subtle tonal variations, the broad strokes that define the street, and the delicate lines articulating the buildings’ structures. The very act of drawing, with its direct connection between hand and surface, invites us to consider the labor involved in depicting everyday life. It asks us to observe the buildings closely and contemplate the lives of those who built and inhabited them. Ultimately, this simple sketch, made with unassuming materials, rises above its humble origins. It encourages us to reflect on the intersection of place, labor, and the human experience.