Finial 

This is a sketch of a finial by Karl Ballenberger. It's made with graphite on paper. The artist has clearly considered how the material will influence the appearance of the design. Graphite allows for fine lines and subtle shading, which perfectly suits the intricate, organic forms of the finial. You can see how the artist uses these qualities to capture the texture and weight of the leaves, and the overall form of the architectural ornament. Consider the labor involved in this process. Each line is carefully drawn, and each curve is deliberately shaped. This is a work of skill and precision. Yet, it also reflects a wider social context. Finials were commonly used in Gothic architecture, and this design would have been part of a larger building project, involving the labor of many skilled craftsmen. In understanding the meaning and the beauty of this sketch we can see how materials, making, and context, challenge the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.