Forest, Valley and Distant Hills n.d.

Karl Schutz made this drawing, "Forest, Valley and Distant Hills", sometime in the late 1700s with pen and brown ink, and gray wash, over graphite on paper. The materials themselves are quite traditional for the period. Paper was becoming more readily available, but still precious, a ground on which an artist could develop their skills. The layered strokes of the pen create depth and texture, the way the ink bleeds into the paper helps to create tone, and the way the gray wash has been applied adds atmospheric perspective to the landscape. Looking at this image, it is important to consider the amount of hand work required to create such a drawing. Each stroke is a conscious decision made by the artist, requiring time, skill and patience. In a time before photography, drawings like these were a crucial means of documenting and understanding the natural world. This beautiful drawing reminds us of the value of time, skill and process in understanding and appreciating works of art.