Gezicht op scheepswerf te Amsterdam Possibly 1666 - 1667

This pen and brown ink drawing of an Amsterdam shipyard was made by Jan de Bray sometime in the 17th century. De Bray captured the bustling activity of the shipyard, but his attention to the arrangement of timbers shows how even the most mundane materials offer an opportunity for aesthetic consideration. The parallel lines create a sense of depth and perspective while capturing the tactile qualities of rough-hewn wood and the hard labor required to construct massive ships. The figures are bent over their work, surrounded by stacks of timber and tools. The composition invites us to consider the economics and politics of shipbuilding. The work hints at the social context, portraying not only the technical process, but also the class implications, and the physically taxing work of shipbuilding. Considering the material and making of this artwork allows us to move beyond conventional distinctions, and it gives us insight into the wider historical conditions of labor, politics, and consumption.