Landscape near Subiaco 

Fritz Bamberger made this landscape study near Subiaco using graphite on paper. The delicate graphite lines bring a subdued atmosphere, almost a dreamlike quality, to the scene. The softness of the graphite allows for subtle gradations of tone, creating depth and volume in the landscape. You can almost feel the artist lightly sketching, capturing the essence of the location. This was a common practice for landscape artists. They would use the sketches as reference to create a final painting at the studio. In the 19th century, artists often went on trips to capture the natural beauty of a particular location. They were, in effect, some of the earliest tourists. These visual studies served as records, both personal and artistic. Looking closely at the materials and the making here opens up a view onto broader social and economic changes. It challenges us to consider how the simple act of sketching enmeshes with larger histories of travel and documentation.