To drenge ved en vandhane (eller fontæne) 1887

Lorenz Frølich made this drawing of two boys at a fountain, using graphite on paper. The use of graphite allows for delicate lines and subtle gradations of tone, which the artist skillfully uses to create depth and texture. Notice how the weight of the lines vary to give the image form, for example, darker lines define the edges of the fountain. The loose, sketch-like quality of the drawing suggests that it may have been a preparatory study for a larger work, or simply a spontaneous expression of the artist's observation. In either case, the drawing reveals Frølich's mastery of his medium and his ability to capture the essence of a scene with economy and grace. It's important to appreciate this work, and others like it, as skilled exercises in seeing, and as valuable cultural records of everyday life.