Arcadisch landschap, met rechts een fontein 1743

Louis Fabritius Dubourg made this drawing of an Arcadian landscape, likely in the first half of the 18th century, using pen, ink, and watercolor on paper. The artwork shows the versatility of traditional art materials, like pen and ink, to make works of art, but also to imitate scenes and make comments on leisure, labor, and nature. The artist uses hatching and cross-hatching in the pen work to build tone and create a sense of depth. The watercolor washes add atmosphere and a soft, dreamlike quality to the scene. The paper support provides a smooth surface, allowing for fine details and delicate gradations of color. The choice of materials—pen, ink, watercolor, and paper—reflects a tradition of artistic practice rooted in the direct, skillful manipulation of humble materials to create the illusion of luxurious spaces. The image is a constructed idea about the life, work, and the world around us. It challenges the idea that certain materials are inherently superior to others, emphasizing the artist's skill, imagination, and intention.