Houses by a River 1703 - 1766

This drawing, "Houses by a River," of unknown date, was made with pen and brown ink, heightened with blue wash, over black chalk. You might think of drawing as a quick, preparatory activity, a lead-in to more “serious” art forms. But look closely, and you’ll appreciate the great skill and labor involved. The anonymous artist shows complete mastery of the pen and ink medium to create a beautiful landscape. Notice how each stroke varies in pressure and direction. The use of brown ink and blue wash creates depth and tone. Each element of the landscape – from the flowing river, to the rocky bank, the structures, and even the sky – is meticulously rendered with careful attention to light and shadow. Consider the time and attention required to achieve this level of detail, as well as the physical labor, the repetitive action of mark making. Hopefully, that makes you appreciate the process involved, and the subtle intelligence of the artist’s hand.