Gezicht op een laan in Ede 1878

Willem Witsen made this drawing of a lane in Ede with graphite pencil on paper. The material itself, graphite, is key to understanding the artwork. Graphite is a mineral form of carbon, lending itself to a range of tones from light grays to deep blacks, depending on the pressure applied, and the number of layers built up. Witsen has exploited this quality, creating a hazy, atmospheric view of trees lining a path. Drawing is often seen as immediate and preparatory, a sketch capturing a fleeting impression, yet the layering evident here suggests a more considered approach. While graphite pencils are readily available and relatively inexpensive today, the history of graphite production is intertwined with industrialization and mining practices. Consider the labor involved in extracting and processing the raw materials to create the medium with which this atmospheric scene was made. Thinking about the wider context of materials, making, and labor allows us to appreciate the richness and complexity of this deceptively simple artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.