Medieval Hunting Scene 1802 - 1812

Franz Pforr made this "Medieval Hunting Scene" using graphite on paper. This choice of material, and the drawing process itself, are crucial to understanding the artwork. The graphite lines, delicate and precise, map out the forms and suggest depth through subtle gradations of tone. But the visible, sketchy quality of the graphite also emphasizes the artist's hand, the active process of creation. This puts the focus on the artist's skill, reminding us that image making is a kind of labor. The very act of hunting was of course also a form of labor, one often associated with the aristocracy. Although Pforr was working in the early 19th century, his drawing evokes a pre-industrial era. The lack of color and detail transports us back to medieval times. In doing so, he elevates the traditional craft of drawing, giving it the same weight and importance as the grand narratives of history painting. Ultimately, this drawing invites us to reconsider the relationship between different forms of making, and the values that we attach to them.