Dimensions: overall (approximate): 28 x 43.2 cm (11 x 17 in.)
Copyright: National Gallery of Art: CC0 1.0
Henry Rushbury created "S.S. Quattro" with graphite on paper, a traditional combination for capturing the world with immediacy. But don't think that because it's just pencil on paper, there is nothing more to it. Look closely at the marks, and the pressure Rushbury exerted through his hand. See the details emerge – the architecture, the figures, the trees. He used a range of hatching techniques and careful rendering. The density of the graphite builds volume and shadow, giving a sense of place and atmosphere. The medium lends itself to on-the-spot observation; this drawing is a record of a particular place and moment in time. There is an intimacy in the process, like keeping a diary. So, while the material is simple, the skill and artistic vision transform a humble medium into a telling document. It shows how attention to materials, making, and context expands our understanding of the artwork.
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