Studie efter antikt relief med fløjtespil og dans, i museet i Palermo 1893 - 1895

L.A. Ring sketched this study of an ancient relief with flute playing and dance, using graphite on paper. The simple act of sketching belies the depth of the artistic process. Graphite, derived from the earth, is ground and mixed with clay, pressed into a stick, encased in wood, and then set to paper. It is immediate and accessible, a tool for capturing the ephemeral qualities of light and form. The artist’s hand guides the graphite, each stroke imbuing the work with a sense of movement. The paper provides a receptive surface, its texture influencing the graphite's mark. Consider the labor involved, from the mining of graphite to the felling of trees for pencils, and the artist's focus and the cultural traditions from which he draws inspiration. Ring challenges traditional notions of fine art by grounding his work in the processes of making, elevating the value of materials and techniques.