Het sneuvelen van Kapitein Herman van der Helling, 23 november 1577 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke created this drawing of "The Death of Captain Herman van der Helling" using pen in gray ink and brush in gray wash. The choice of such modest materials is interesting. This was not a commission, but a study for a series of prints illustrating Dutch history. Fokke's technique is economical; the thin lines of the pen providing structure, with the gray wash quickly filling in tone and texture. It is a rapid method, perfectly suited to the industrialization of image making through print. Look closely, and you'll notice how Fokke uses the gray wash to give a sense of depth and atmosphere, creating a somber mood appropriate to the subject matter. By focusing on the process and materials used, we can understand how the artist's choices reflect the wider social and economic context of the time. Ultimately, Fokke blurs the boundaries between art and craft, inviting us to appreciate the skill and artistry involved in the production of even the most humble of images.