De fire børn i en båd 1866

Lorenz Frølich made this piece, *De fire børn i en båd*, as an illustration using pen and ink. The fineness of line he achieves speaks to Frølich’s mastery of this direct drawing method. Note the variety of marks, from dense hatching in the shadowed areas to the light, quick strokes suggesting rippling water. What might seem a simple children’s scene is actually a sophisticated demonstration of technique, showing the potential for detail and tonal range within the humble medium of ink on paper. The physical act of creating such an image involved many hours of focused labor, and its effect depends on the artist’s intimate knowledge of his materials. This drawing offers us not just a glimpse into a playful moment, but also into the rich history and tradition of draftsmanship. By looking closely at the making, we can move beyond the image itself to understand the skill and artistry involved.