Slag van Lekkerbeetje, 1600 17th century

This drawing, titled "Slag van Lekkerbeetje," was made around 1600 by an anonymous artist using pen and grey ink on paper. Look closely, and you'll notice the artist's skilled hand in rendering the chaos of battle. The pen strokes are delicate yet assertive, capturing the weight of the armored soldiers, the muscular forms of the horses, and the dynamism of the clash. The drawing is not just a depiction of a historical event; it is also an artifact of its time. The paper itself, likely handmade, carries a history of labor and trade. The ink, carefully mixed, speaks to the resources and knowledge available to the artist. And the very act of drawing, a skilled practice honed through years of training, reflects a particular set of cultural values. This artwork reminds us that even in depictions of war, there is a story of making, labor, and the material world.