Rustic Courtyard 1880

Santiago Rusiñol created this drawing, Rustic Courtyard, in 1880 with graphite on paper. The artist employs hatching techniques to model the forms of the buildings and foliage. The texture of the paper supports the rustic nature of the scene, evoking the rough surfaces of aged structures and sun-baked earth. Rusiñol uses the modest material of graphite to make the ordinary feel extraordinary. Look closely, and you'll see how he coaxes depth and shadow from the humble pencil. His depiction of the courtyard, with the tools of daily life scattered about, reflects a world far removed from industrialization and the bustle of the city. The artist’s hand is evident in every stroke, reminding us of the labor inherent in both the making of the artwork, and the making of the scene it depicts. Rusiñol elevates this working space to a place worthy of our gaze, making the lives of ordinary people extraordinary.