Winterlandschap met mensen op het ijs 1797 - 1870

This delicate drawing of a winter landscape with figures was made by Andreas Schelfhout, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. He used graphite, or what we commonly call pencil, to render this frozen scene on paper. Although seemingly simple, the pencil is a fascinating example of industrial ingenuity. Combining graphite, clay, and wood, it reflects the rise of mass production in the 18th and 19th centuries. The very qualities of graphite - its softness, its ability to leave a mark with minimal pressure, and the subtlety of tonal variation it allows - have shaped the artwork's aesthetic. In this winter scene, the use of graphite evokes the subdued atmosphere and hushed stillness of a cold, overcast day. Schelfhout, rooted in the traditions of Dutch landscape painting, transformed his craft through the use of an industrial material. By understanding the materials and the processes behind them, we see how these influenced the look and meaning of this tranquil winter scene.