Bospad c. 1871 - 1878

This is a drawing in graphite on paper, by Maria Vos. It’s a seemingly simple sketch of a forest path, but the way it's made tells us a lot. Graphite, essentially a purified form of carbon, has been mined and processed for centuries, eventually becoming the 'lead' in pencils, allowing for a readily portable means of artistic production. Vos uses the pencil to create depth through varying pressure, and by layering lines, she coaxes out the textures of bark, leaves, and shadows. There’s a remarkable sensitivity to the effects of light, capturing the stillness and the beauty of the forest interior. We might think of drawing as a preliminary activity, a sketch that’s secondary to finished painting, but it also stands alone as an intimate engagement with the world, one that allows for sensitivity to the natural world. In its own way, this direct, hands-on process is just as valuable as any grander statement, reminding us of the value of quiet observation.