Children, Woman with Infant and Three Soldiers Sitting Among Ruins by Lake n.d.

George Cattermole created this graphite pencil drawing depicting a woman with an infant, children, and soldiers resting among ruins. Pencil drawings, like this one, rely on the direct touch of the artist. The artist can add tone, implying weight, depth, and volume to the figures and architecture. Cattermole has carefully depicted the effects of light and shade, and also conveys the emotional atmosphere. What is striking about this seemingly simple drawing is how it highlights a shift in artistic perception. Cattermole has emphasized a scene from daily life and imbued it with pathos. Rather than depicting a heroic scene of battle, he has chosen to present the quiet aftermath, where soldiers and civilians alike are affected by the realities of conflict. In doing so, Cattermole has brought an understated subject to the attention of a fine art audience, and prompts us to reflect on the human costs of historical events.