Geliefden bij een kerkhof c. 1660 - 1664

Gesina ter Borch created this sketch, "Lovers by a graveyard", using graphite on paper. The choice of graphite as a medium is interesting, because it's so immediate. We can see the artist thinking, almost in real time. The fine lines and delicate shading capture a sense of lightness, but also a degree of uncertainty - appropriate, given the subject matter of love and death. ter Borch’s technique emphasizes the amount of work involved in the production process. The figures are meticulously rendered, with attention to detail in their costumes and expressions, contrasting with the sketchier background. This kind of direct, unmediated mark-making gives us an insight into the creative process. Ultimately, the material qualities of this drawing, combined with its subject matter, invite us to consider the relationship between love and mortality, reminding us that even the most seemingly simple artwork is the result of skill, labor, and a dialogue between the artist and their materials.