Standing on the Base Ground...I Become a Transparent Eyeball (Illustration for Ralph Waldo Emerson's "Nature") 1830 - 1892

This pen and ink drawing on paper was made by Christopher Pearse Cranch, as an illustration for Ralph Waldo Emerson’s essay, “Nature.” The simplicity of the materials belies the complexity of the image. A rather crudely drawn figure, with a disproportionately large eyeball for a head, walks on a hill. The artist used the quick, direct nature of pen and ink to create an allegorical scene that reflects the transcendentalist philosophy of Emerson. The drawing’s strength lies in the artist's ability to use the humble materials of pen and ink to create a memorable image. The lack of color emphasizes the figure’s alienation from the landscape around him, a visual metaphor for the individual's place in nature, as it absorbs the man into infinite space, making him a transparent eyeball. This work challenges traditional notions of high art by using accessible materials to convey profound philosophical ideas. By focusing on the materials and making process, we can better appreciate the social and cultural significance of this seemingly simple drawing.