Two views of Loevestein Castle c. 1646 - 1647

Roelant Roghman created this drawing of Loevestein Castle using graphite on paper. Notice how Roghman captures the serene expansiveness of the Dutch landscape with just a few deftly placed lines. The graphite, applied with varying pressure, gives depth and texture to the scene. It’s easy to forget that graphite, the material of everyday pencils, can achieve such artistry. Consider, too, the labor involved. Roghman meticulously rendered the architecture and the surrounding foliage. In his time, drawings like these were not just artworks but documents, records of place and property. They speak to the growing merchant class and their desire to map and possess their world. Roghman elevated a humble material like graphite to create a work of art, reminding us that the value of art lies not just in the subject, but also in the artist's skill, perspective and material engagement.