Rheintor mit Zollturm in Zons 1867

Otto Scholderer made this graphite drawing of the Rheintor gate and customs tower in Zons in 1867. Graphite, in pencil form, is a humble material, directly connected to the industrial revolution. Mass production allowed for widespread use of this writing and drawing tool. The appearance of this work relies on graphite’s capacity for tonal variation. Notice how the artist varies the pressure to create depth and shadow. This is particularly evident in the rendering of the stone tower, whose age is suggested through subtle details. The linear quality of the drawing also emphasizes the architectural structure of the buildings. Yet, the scene also communicates a sense of everyday life. Scholderer used a simple medium to depict a site that was itself a center of commerce and control – the management of goods coming in and out of the city. Thinking about materials and making helps us understand how even a simple drawing is deeply embedded in its historical moment.