Ansicht eines in hügeliger Landschaft an einem Fluss gelegenen Ortes 

This is a graphite drawing of a town on a river by Victor Müller. The medium of graphite is directly linked to modes of production and capitalism. Graphite pencils were manufactured industrially during the 19th century, enabling artists to mass-produce drawings like this. Notice how Müller uses the graphite to create a range of tones and textures, from the delicate lines of the buildings to the rough shading of the landscape. This required considerable skill. Before industrialization, artists like Müller would have had to laboriously produce their own drawing materials, spending time on the preparation of the graphite sticks, and the grinding and mixing of pigments for ink or paint. The fact that he was able to capture a realistic and detailed image of the town reflects Müller's mastery of the medium. In some ways, this drawing is an interesting synthesis of the artist’s skill and industrial production. It shows how materials and making are critical to understanding an artwork's full meaning, challenging the divide between fine art and craft.