German Farm Building 1841 - 1897

Andrew Fisher Bunner created this delicate drawing, "German Farm Building," using pen and ink on paper. The linear quality of the medium lends itself well to the architectural subject. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist coaxes a full range of tones from simple black ink, using hatching and cross-hatching to build up shadow and volume. The density of the marks suggests the textures of the building’s wooden structure and surrounding foliage. Notice the precision of the linework; Bunner seems to revel in the act of close observation and careful rendering. Drawings like this were often made as studies for larger paintings, or as independent works of art intended for sale. Though seemingly modest, they offered artists a direct means of engaging with the world around them, capturing fleeting moments and impressions with immediacy. This kind of approach collapses the distinction between art and craft. It underscores the importance of technical skill and the value of handmade work in a rapidly industrializing world.