Gezicht in Naarden c. 1860 - 1866

Cornelis Springer made this drawing of Naarden using graphite on paper. It is a light sketch with minimal shading, perhaps a study for a larger painting. The graphite pencil is a tool that lies between industrial and artistic production. Graphite itself is a naturally occurring mineral, but to make a pencil, it must be mined, processed, mixed with clay, formed into a rod, and then baked. Finally, it is encased in wood – itself, sawn and shaped with some effort. The ease with which the artist can transfer his ideas onto paper belies the labor involved in the pencil's production. This sketch, therefore, offers a glimpse into the relationship between artistic vision and industrial processes, reminding us that even the simplest tools have complex origins. It is a testament to the artist's vision and to the broader systems of labor and production that make such art possible.