Waters with ships 26 - 1876

Otto Scholderer made this pencil drawing, Waters with ships, on paper, in 1876. Pencil on paper is an interesting choice, because both are relatively humble materials, especially when we consider the grandeur of the ships depicted here. Looking closely, you can almost feel the graphite as it moved across the page, capturing the essence of the scene with quick, light strokes. The texture of the paper itself adds to the overall effect, giving the drawing a tactile quality. In the 19th century, the availability of machine-made paper and standardized pencils democratized drawing, making it accessible to a wider range of artists, not only those working for wealthy patrons or on large-scale commissions. It’s fascinating to consider how Scholderer, trained in traditional oil painting, would use readily available materials to capture what he observed, collapsing the distinction between high art and everyday practice.