Horn of Haifa (from Sketchbook) 1904

Mary Newbold Sargent made this pencil drawing called "Horn of Haifa" in the 19th century, and what strikes me is the way she captures a sense of place with such minimal means. Look at how Sargent uses just a few, almost hesitant lines to suggest the form of the mountains and the expanse of the landscape. It's like she's feeling her way around the scene, mapping it out in a kind of visual shorthand. The strokes are delicate, almost fragile, but together they create a sense of depth and distance. See how the horizontal line establishes the horizon, dividing the composition, creating an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. There's a stillness to this piece, a sense of being present in the moment, observing the world around you. This reminds me of some of Agnes Martin’s subtle pencil drawings. Both artists share a similar approach to artmaking as a process of quiet observation and contemplation.