Forest lake 

This is Anton Radl’s ‘Forest Lake’, made with pencil and grey wash, likely in the early 19th century. The artist's materials are rather conventional, but it is in the deft handling of them that the drawing becomes compelling. Radl applies the wash in varying dilutions to create depth and atmosphere. See how the pencil lines are used sparingly, almost like a form of understated joinery, giving structure to the trees and foliage. The entire image is a network of finely calibrated strokes, evidence of both observation and careful execution. Drawings like this remind us that even a seemingly simple vista is the result of labor, skill, and a keen understanding of materials. By appreciating the ‘how’ as much as the ‘what’ of this image, we get a fuller sense of its value.