Study of Ruins (from Sketchbook) 1834 - 1838

John William Casilear's "Study of Ruins," now at the Met, was made with graphite on paper. The roughness of the graphite and the paper’s texture contribute to the sense of immediacy, as if Casilear quickly captured these scenes on site. Consider the artist outdoors, perhaps contending with wind and changing light, to depict these ruined structures. This act of observation and documentation became increasingly relevant as industrialization swept across both Europe and America, creating a sense of loss for the pre-industrial past. The sketches capture the visual remnants of previous eras, prompting reflections on the passage of time. These ruins are mute witnesses to history, labor, and human endeavor. The drawing itself stands as a trace of Casilear’s focused attention, and by extension, invites us to contemplate what has been lost, and perhaps, what we stand to lose as well. It reminds us that all things, even the most monumental, are subject to decay.