Trap tussen huizen te Mettmann, boven Düsseldorf 1784

This drawing of a staircase between houses in Mettmann, near Düsseldorf, was made by Johannes Elffers using pen and ink. The artist used diluted ink to achieve a range of gray tones, which gives depth and form to the stone steps and timber-framed buildings. Look closely, and you can see the hatching and cross-hatching, which were carefully applied to build up the shadows, and to emphasize the textures of the rough stone and weathered wood. This technique requires considerable patience and control, reflecting a long tradition of skilled draftsmanship. But note, too, that it is not exactly photorealistic. The very act of drawing calls attention to the image's constructedness. It gives a vivid impression of daily life in this small town, and also highlights the labor involved in its depiction. Elffers invites us to consider both the scene before him, and his careful rendering of it.