Ruine eines antiken tonnengewölbten Baus 

Bartholomeus Breenbergh created this watercolor and pen drawing of an ancient ruin. The materiality of the ruin suggests a lot about its creation and context. The rough-hewn stones of the barrel-vaulted structure indicate it was built by skilled laborers, using techniques passed down through generations. The structure shows a significant amount of work involved in quarrying, shaping, and transporting the heavy stones. This labor force was essential for monumental construction in antiquity. The drawing captures the social context of the ruin. It highlights the contrast between the ambition of the original builders and the ravages of time. This contrast invites reflection on the transience of human endeavor. By focusing on the material and making of both the ruin and the drawing, we can see how traditional distinctions between fine art and craft become blurred, offering a richer understanding of cultural heritage.