Nursery on Schenkweg 1882

Vincent van Gogh made this drawing of a nursery in The Hague using graphite and ink. The artist employed a range of mark-making techniques to achieve the scene’s subtle variations of tone. Van Gogh’s choice of humble materials – pencil and ink - is notable given the highly skilled and painstaking nature of the drawing, which is full of detail. The marks indicate close observation, and also a sensitivity to the different textures that describe the natural world. Look closely, and you will notice the way the reflections in the water are registered with quick vertical strokes, while the foliage is built up through layers of hatching. By taking such care with inexpensive materials, Van Gogh elevates the act of drawing. He also connects it to wider social issues of labor, politics, and consumption by finding beauty in the everyday. The drawing also exemplifies the artist’s own work ethic, a commitment to rendering his subjects with dedication and care.