Boerderijen aan het water 1617 - 1621

Esaias van de Velde made this drawing, "Boerderijen aan het water," with pen in brown ink and grey wash on paper. The choice of materials and the artist’s method are crucial here. This isn’t an oil painting, which was the standard for high art at the time. Instead, we see a drawing, a more intimate medium, that conveys a sense of immediacy and accessibility. The pen lines and grey wash create a delicate and detailed image, bringing out the textures of the thatched roofs and the surrounding foliage. This was a period of immense change in the Netherlands, with a rising merchant class and increasing urbanization. Van de Velde's choice to depict a rural scene, with farmhouses along the water, speaks to the era’s shifting values and perspectives, and a growing interest in the everyday lives of ordinary people. By focusing on the materials and techniques used, we gain a deeper appreciation for the cultural and social significance of this seemingly simple drawing, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.