Studienblatt_ Szenen in Ägypten 1850

Wilhelm Gentz made this drawing, Studienblatt_ Szenen in Ägypten, with graphite on paper. Graphite is derived from naturally occurring crystalline carbon, and commonly used in pencils. The relative softness of graphite allows it to leave a mark on paper. This is in contrast to other drawing media like charcoal, where the marks sit more loosely on the surface. Here, Gentz used the medium to produce quick sketches of figures in North Africa. The thin lines and shading capture the light and textures of the clothing. You can almost imagine the artist working quickly, documenting the scene before him. The immediacy of drawing often elevates it above other forms of making, but we shouldn’t discount the labor involved. Each line, each shadow, is the result of a deliberate action, a decision made by the artist. The study reveals the artist's fascination with capturing the human form and everyday life in Egypt through a readily available, portable material.