En sejlbåd med to master og to tværstænger med oprullede sejl 1869

P.C. Skovgaard made this drawing of a sailboat with graphite on paper, presumably en plein air, on August 1, 1859, in Capri. The drawing is sparse, economical even, in its lines and strokes. Skovgaard’s hand moves swiftly and confidently, delineating the forms of the boat, masts, and rigging with a minimum of fuss. The material qualities of graphite—its ability to create subtle gradations of tone and texture, and its responsiveness to pressure—are evident here. The quickness of the hand suggests that the artist worked with urgency to capture the likeness of the boat. The immediacy inherent in the medium and its making, allows for direct engagement with the subject. While not a highly finished work, the drawing embodies a casual, off-hand aesthetic that challenges traditional notions of artistic labor. By emphasizing the process of sketching and observation, Skovgaard elevates the importance of seeing and recording, rather than striving for illusionistic perfection.