Group of trees 

Franz Kobell rendered this landscape, titled "Group of Trees", using ink on paper. The rapid, repetitive strokes give the impression that this was done outdoors, *en plein air*. A cluster of trees dominates the foreground, their forms rendered with a mass of ink lines that evoke their density. These trees give way to a small dirt path occupied by two figures to the lower right-hand side. The process of drawing directly informs the artwork's aesthetic. The pen’s consistent width makes the artist rely on mark-making – its speed, pressure, and direction – to create contrast and depth. In this sense, drawing might seem like a solitary activity, but it is important to remember the cultural context in which these marks were made. This was a time in Europe of exploration and documentation, made possible by the availability of affordable paper, ink, and portable tools. Considering materials, making, and context allows us to move beyond merely admiring the surface of a work. We see drawing, not only as an artistic practice, but also an expression of broader social and technological forces.