Interieur van een boerderij of schuur 1613 - 1700

This drawing of a farm interior was created by an anonymous artist, using graphite on paper. Look closely, and you will see that the artist was attentive to the qualities of the different materials depicted. The textures of the wood, the weight of the barrels, and the forms of various containers, all rendered in grayscale, reflect careful observation. The artist has relied on simple marks to convey complex forms. Think about how the artist used the graphite to create the illusion of volume. The relative density of the pencil strokes helps to indicate light and shadow, a kind of alchemy of line. The work probably served as a preparatory sketch. But it also stands as an image of everyday labor. The artist has found a kind of beauty in this scene, transforming the mundane into something carefully considered. It gives us insight into the spaces where ordinary people spent their working lives. It reminds us that the distinction between fine art and humble craft isn't always so clear.