Schetsje met putten 1773 - 1843

This small drawing, a sketch of pits made by Georges Michel, probably dates from the late 18th or early 19th century. Executed on paper with graphite, the marks are spare but suggestive. Consider how the artist has captured the scene, not with precise detail, but through suggestion. Notice the bare minimum that is required to convey a sense of place and depth. We can see how he uses his lines to suggest the weight and substance of these architectural forms. The drawing provides a glimpse into the pre-industrial landscape, where manual labor and natural resources were closely intertwined. This sketch serves not only as an aesthetic exercise, but as a visual record of social and economic conditions. The sketch acts as a reminder that even the simplest of materials, when wielded with intention, can offer profound insights into the world around us. The work encourages us to appreciate artistic skill alongside an awareness of our shared cultural and material existence.