Pipes in the Forest c. 1952 - 1953

John A. Noble made this drawing, Pipes in the Forest, using what looks like pencil or maybe lithographic crayon, and the marks are all about work, labor, industry. It's a gritty scene and the drawing style really matches the subject. The texture Noble achieves with simple hatching and cross-hatching is fascinating. Look closely at how he renders the figures: there is a real sense of weight, particularly in the man using the wrench. The variations in tone – from dark shadows to bright highlights – give the scene depth, but it's the detail that grabs me. The way the artist captures the rough textures of the pipes and the surrounding forest is so tactile, you can almost feel the grit and grime. The marks around the edges of the pipe seem to continue past the edge of the object, making you wonder what the process looked like. Noble's work reminds me a bit of other American Scene painters like Thomas Hart Benton, who were also interested in depicting everyday life and labor. But Noble brings a certain intimacy to his work. It's like he's inviting us to witness a moment in time, to appreciate the hard work and skill of the men building this pipeline. It's not about grand narratives, but the quiet dignity of human effort.