Gezicht op kasteel Te Lips of Wijngaarden 1685 - 1735

Abraham Rademaker made this drawing of Te Lips Castle, or Wijngaarden, using pen and brown ink, with brown wash. The choice of materials here – ink applied with a relatively coarse nib – lends itself to a quick, efficient style. It's probable that Rademaker made the drawing on site, or at least with direct reference to the architecture and the surrounding landscape. The brown wash would have been added to create depth, and to give a sense of atmosphere. While we might think of drawing as a straightforward medium, it's important to remember that this image carries a particular kind of social meaning. The artist is representing the built environment of the Netherlands – signaling the wealth and power of the elite who commissioned and inhabited these structures. The drawing is not just a record of a physical place, but also an index of social relations. So next time you encounter a drawing, consider the materials, making, and context. These all contribute to the artwork's meaning, and challenge traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.