Two Warriors in Classical Costume Bending over Two Figures 1765 - 1818

Heinrich Friedrich Füger made this drawing, 'Two Warriors in Classical Costume Bending over Two Figures', using graphite on paper. The material itself is humble enough – graphite, essentially pencil lead – but of course it is the artist’s mastery that brings it to life. Note how Füger coaxes such a range of tonal values from the graphite, creating depth and drama with relatively few strokes. The application of the graphite is also worth noting: you can see very light, sketchy marks in the background, and then much more deliberate, darker lines defining the figures in the foreground. This contrast in the handling of the material enhances the theatrical effect, almost like a stage set coming into focus. In its own way, drawing is also a craft, a set of skills handed down through generations of artists. Though not as overtly laborious as, say, tapestry weaving or metalworking, it still requires years of dedicated practice to achieve this level of expressive control. By appreciating the artist’s skill in handling such a basic material, we can move beyond the subject matter itself and appreciate the art of making.