Scheveningen Road 1882

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing, Scheveningen Road, using graphite pencil on paper. The drawing is a study in tone and texture, achieved through the artist’s application of the pencil. See how the marks vary from soft, smudged shading to precise, deliberate lines, creating contrast, volume and depth. The physical properties of graphite—its softness, its ability to leave a trace with minimal pressure—allow for a remarkable range of effects. But graphite’s real significance here is its accessibility. It’s a humble material, readily available, and affordable, aligning with Van Gogh’s deep empathy for working-class life. He wasn't interested in precious materials, but in the everyday and the ordinary. In his hands, the simple act of drawing becomes a powerful form of social observation and personal expression. It bridges the gap between high art and the material realities of daily life.