Gezicht op Gaza met ruïnes op de voorgrond 1852

François Stroobant made this drawing of Gaza with graphite, likely on paper. Look at the details in the stone and the broken architecture. Graphite allows for incredible detail. It’s a relatively simple material, yet it perfectly captures the nuances of light on the ruins, and the rough texture of the stone. Consider what graphite represents in the 19th century: it is a material that allows for mass production of images. Although this drawing is a one-off, it is evidence of an impulse to capture a specific moment, and to reproduce it. The work is infused with a sense of history but also highlights the labor involved in both the creation and destruction of architecture. Paying attention to materials and processes reveals how Stroobant's drawing balances the unique qualities of the medium with broader issues of labor, destruction, and documentation. It’s not just a picture; it’s a record of a place and time, made possible by specific technologies.