De tempel van Neptunus, Paestum 1843

Pierre Louis Dubourcq made this drawing of the Temple of Neptune in Paestum using graphite on paper. Graphite's directness is key; with varying pressure, Dubourcq coaxes subtle gradations from his chosen material. Here, each stroke, each erasure, tells a story of the artist's engagement with his subject, and with the legacy of classical architecture. The Temple itself speaks of labor, politics, and consumption. Imagine the immense work involved in quarrying, transporting, and erecting these massive stones – a testament to human ingenuity, yes, but also to the social structures that organized such feats. Dubourcq’s rendering subtly brings all of this into play. The soft focus reminds us that it has been weathered by centuries of natural forces and human activity. By valuing the immediacy of the drawn line, and reminding us of the labor behind ancient monuments, Dubourcq collapses any separation between the fine arts and historical record.