Huizen op het duin bij Scheveningen c. 1873

Johannes Bosboom made this drawing of houses in Scheveningen with graphite on paper. The softness of graphite allows for quick, fluid marks, ideal for capturing a scene's essence. The artist uses the material to render the basic forms of the buildings and the landscape, focusing on light and shadow rather than precise detail. The choice of graphite and paper is significant. Unlike more formal media like oil paint, these materials suggest immediacy, and the artist's direct engagement with the subject. It's as if we’re looking over Bosboom's shoulder as he quickly sketches what he sees. This approach democratizes the artistic process, making it accessible. The sketch invites us to appreciate the subtle beauty of everyday life, and the skill required to distill a complex scene into its most essential elements. By valuing the process of sketching, Bosboom elevates it beyond mere preparation for a finished work. He asks us to see the artistry in the act of making itself.