Houses and Windmill Beside Canal after 1758

Isaac van Ketweg made this drawing with pen and brown ink, brush and gray wash, over graphite in the 18th century. The restrained palette and the artist's hand are crucial to understanding the subject itself. The canal, houses, and windmill were likely made in the manner of other topographical views, which were popular souvenirs of the Grand Tour. Van Ketweg chose to make this scene in ink and wash. There's a high level of control, of artisanal skill in every stroke, which may strike us as conservative. But the neutral palette is not just economical, it also lends an air of authenticity to the scene. The controlled, skilled application of ink and wash can be seen to evoke the windmills’ function, as well as an industrious countryside, built from craft traditions. This points to the broader social context of artistic creation in the 18th century, when the status of craftsmanship was being renegotiated in relation to fine art. It's a reminder that the means of production can subtly shape the meaning of the artwork, challenging distinctions between art and craft.