Lysander and Hermia c. 1867

Victor Müller made this drawing of Lysander and Hermia with graphite on paper. The ethereal quality of the drawing comes from the nature of graphite itself. Think of it not as a medium so much as a process. Graphite, a form of carbon, must be mined, processed, and formed into a rod before it can even reach the artist's hand. Müller uses it here to great effect. Notice how the strokes barely touch the paper, creating a sense of lightness and transience. The figures seem to emerge from the page, only to dissolve back into it. The physical act of drawing becomes a metaphor for the fleeting nature of love and dreams. The raw materiality and processes involved often go unnoticed, yet they deeply influence our perception and appreciation of art. By acknowledging the labor, context, and materials, we bridge the gap between fine art and craft, gaining a richer understanding.