Twee dames op een balkon 1843

Adrianus Johannes Ehnle created this drawing of two ladies on a balcony in the mid-19th century using graphite on paper. Graphite, essentially the same material as pencil lead, allowed Ehnle to create delicate lines and subtle gradations of tone. Notice how the artist coaxes volume from a humble material, modulating pressure to describe the women's forms and clothing. The choice of graphite, combined with the artist’s technique, imbues the scene with a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The softness of the graphite mirrors the tenderness of the moment shared between the two figures. The work is relatively small, emphasizing its quality as a study, as though caught spontaneously. The artist is skilled in the medium, using graphite's inherent qualities to convey both realism and emotion. This drawing, with its material simplicity, invites us to consider the value of understated expression.