De prins huis te Ryswjck 

Paulus Constantijn la Fargue made this drawing of ‘De prins huis te Ryswjck’ using pen and brown ink, with grey wash on paper. The fine lines give the image a sense of precision, capturing the architectural details of the building and its surroundings, while the subtle washes create depth and atmosphere. La Fargue’s choice of these materials is interesting, as they were commonly used for documentary and preparatory sketches. Yet here, these are employed in the creation of a finished artwork. The drawing also conveys the amount of work involved in the construction of such a grand building. It raises questions about labor, the wealth required to commission the building, and the social inequalities it represents. Paying attention to the materials, making, and social context allows us to appreciate its full meaning and significance.