Untitled n.d.

Victor Adam made this drawing sometime in the 19th century with graphite on paper. Graphite is a humble material, traditionally used for preparatory sketches, and here, it takes center stage. Look closely, and you'll see a series of vignettes, each depicting a different kind of manual labor. Men haul ropes, carry buckets, and climb ladders. There’s a directness to Adam's style, capturing these workers in unidealized, everyday poses. The choice of graphite is key. It allows for a quick, almost documentary approach. This isn't about grand artistic gestures, but rather a quiet observation of the work that underpins society. The marks are immediate, reflecting the urgency and physicality of the tasks at hand. The artist shows the production process of his time. It’s a reminder that even the simplest drawings are rooted in social and economic realities. Adam’s “Untitled” challenges our notions of what constitutes art, asking us to value the skill and labor involved in both its making, and the work it depicts.