Gezicht op huizen en vestingstoren aan het water 1606 - 1656

Jan van Goyen made this landscape drawing using pen in brown ink and brush in gray, likely in the first half of the 17th century. The thinness of the lines and the limited palette gives the scene a stark, immediate feel, which is heightened by the small size of the drawing. Though modest in its material, it demonstrates the artist's skill and efficiency in capturing the essence of the Dutch landscape. The way he uses layers of transparent strokes with a brush indicates a deep understanding of the materials and their potential. It’s important to remember that while drawings like these might seem effortless, they rest on a foundation of dedicated practice and the skillful manipulation of simple tools. It is through such careful work that the artist successfully suggests atmosphere, depth, and the presence of specific locales. This artwork, and others like it, invite us to value the skill involved in traditional art practices.