Sanderumgaards have IX 1803

J.F. Clemens made this drawing of Sanderumgaard around the turn of the 19th century, using graphite on paper. Graphite, in its raw form, is just carbon, like coal or diamonds. But when refined and applied to paper, as here, it yields a world of tonal variation. Look closely at the subtle gradations, from the almost-white sky to the dark accents of the trees at the right. Clemens coaxes an impressive range of effects from a humble material. The quickness and ease of drawing allowed artists to capture fleeting impressions, and to experiment with composition. For Clemens, who was principally an engraver, it was a means of mapping out a design. The social context here is interesting: while drawing was used by designers and artisans for all sorts of purposes, it was also becoming newly fashionable as a pastime for the upper classes. Drawing was a skill of observation and documentation. The image is just a graphite drawing on paper, but it gives us so much.