Palm tree in Salerno 1841

Johann Nepomuk Rauch sketched this palm tree in Salerno using graphite on paper. Graphite, in its essence, is a humble material, a form of carbon more commonly found in pencils. Here, it captures the texture of the palm's trunk and the delicate fronds with subtle variations in pressure. This medium allows for a directness, a translation of the artist's immediate perception into a tangible form. Think of the artist, on location, quickly capturing the essential features of the tree before the light changes. The choice of graphite also speaks to the artist’s intent, it is a cost-effective, easily transportable medium that encourages spontaneity, and prioritizes the act of observation, which here, renders a lasting impression of a place far away from home.