A Bedroom Scene 19th century

This drawing, known as "A Bedroom Scene," was made with pen and brown ink on paper by an anonymous artist. The linear quality of the drawing emphasizes form through the economical use of lines that define the contours of each figure. The scene is composed of numerous family members in a sick room surrounding an ailing patient. By attending to the materiality of paper and ink, one might ponder the ways in which an artwork’s perceived status influences its meaning and value. What is the relationship between the cost of materials and the labor involved, and how does it affect our perception? Although the drawing captures an intimate scene, we tend to associate ink drawings with the preliminary stage of producing art, as opposed to the final product. Understanding the materiality of an artwork helps challenge traditional hierarchies and distinctions between fine art and craft.