Studie van een huis van baksteen c. 1779 - 1858

Hendrik van der Burgh made this small watercolor study of a brick house at an unknown date. Van der Burgh renders the brick with carefully placed strokes of watercolor, and shows an awareness of the material’s inherent qualities of texture and color. Brick-making involves mixing clay with water, shaping it in molds, and then firing it in a kiln. The process demands skilled labor and careful management of resources. The brick is one of the oldest and most important materials in the history of building. The brick trade has its own histories of creative practices and aesthetics. The walls provide a sense of enclosure and privacy. Paying attention to the materials, making, and social context of this artwork opens up the possibility of the artist's understanding of the building as a place of work, labor, and class. These elements allow a deeper understanding of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.