Figurstudie til maleriet af landsretssagfører Niels Thorup, siddende på et havebord 1941

This study for a painting of Niels Thorup, made by Edvard Weie, is rendered simply, in pencil on paper. The image captures the sitter's likeness economically through the contrast between the dark hatching in the background and the crisp lines which delineate the figure. The rapid quality of the sketch is made possible by the pencil, one of the most ubiquitous and versatile drawing tools. Its widespread availability is directly tied to industrial production, particularly the large-scale mining of graphite in the 19th century. The artist's hand is evident in the varying pressure applied to the pencil, creating a sense of depth and texture. What might this tell us? Perhaps the artist's intention was to test out the composition and tone. The pencil is a readily available means to experiment with the look of a painting. Ultimately, the material and process used here serve as a reminder that even the most polished works of art often begin with humble materials and processes.