Böschung mit großen Laubbäumen 1882

Curator: Right now, we’re looking at "Böschung mit großen Laubbäumen," or "Slope with Large Deciduous Trees," a pencil drawing made on paper by Louis Eysen in 1882. It resides here at the Städel Museum. What's your first impression? Editor: Hmmm, muted. Quiet. Like a secret whispered between the trees, all gray, the textures making this quiet hum. Curator: Absolutely, the materials play a central role in shaping its impact. It's a relatively straightforward example of pencil on paper, but notice how Eysen uses the pencil not just to define form but to create a sense of atmosphere, to build texture? We could discuss the cost of paper at the time and the ubiquity of the pencil which would make drawing accessible. Editor: Oh, I agree. He layers those graphite strokes like he's building a nest, soft, interwoven lines create that heavy feeling of humid summer air, just before a storm breaks. Feels so fleeting. Curator: It's about capturing a moment, yes. And if we look at it from the perspective of the late 19th century, there's a shift in artistic practices; a focus on the plein air tradition, artists venturing outside the studio. Art became an industry. There were now specialized workshops, and paper was manufactured for drawings like this. Editor: Plein air lends such immediacy. Imagine him, perhaps sketching quickly, trying to seize the essence of these grand old trees with simple paper and pencil, before the moment disappears. Like a butterfly net for images, only the idea remains. I do find this drawing evocative! It seems I almost recall that smell of soil and damp leaves. Curator: I am pleased you mentioned the sensation. Because what we see here is more than just botanical accuracy. What could easily become merely scientific illustration transcends that and provides feeling. So from the price of paper to feeling nature, it really encapsulates the tensions and opportunities afforded by art! Editor: It’s wonderful how such an unassuming medium can unlock such depth. Well, it leaves you with the distinct impression that you were really there!