Dead Tree at Water's Edge, Figure Approaching with Pole n.d.

Jacob van Ruisdael created this drawing, Dead Tree at Water's Edge, Figure Approaching with Pole, using graphite or black chalk on paper, sometime in the mid-17th century. Ruisdael expertly coaxes subtle gradations of tone from a humble material. With just a bit of charcoal, the artist captures the damp atmosphere of a low-lying landscape. Look closely, and you’ll notice the way he wields the chalk to suggest the textures of bark, foliage, and grassy overgrowth. Of course, paper was also a crucial element, made from pulped rags. The labor and resources needed to produce paper and charcoal in the 17th century were substantial. Ruisdael transforms mundane, widely available materials into something evocative, a scene of melancholy beauty. It's a reminder that all art relies on processes of making, no matter how modest the materials may seem.