Munk siddende på hug med en hakke i hånden. Salvatore Lacio da Genzano 1854

Ernst Meyer sketched this drawing of Salvatore Lacio da Genzano, a monk squatting with a hoe, using graphite on paper. The very medium of graphite allows Meyer to capture the scene with immediacy and detail. The soft, grey graphite enables subtle shading and the creation of textures, bringing depth to the monk's clothing and the surrounding foliage. Notice the artist's delicate touch, particularly in the rendering of light and shadow, suggesting the quality of daylight. The choice of a humble material like graphite aligns with the subject matter - a working monk. Here, Meyer bridges the gap between high art and the everyday, celebrating labor, and offering a moment of quiet contemplation. The artist’s skill lies not just in representation, but in elevating the ordinary through a nuanced understanding of materials and their inherent expressive potential.