Gezichten op Dikninge en Vledderinge bij Meppel Possibly 1732 - 1736

Editor: We're looking at "Gezichten op Dikninge en Vledderinge bij Meppel" by Abraham de Haen the Second, a Dutch Golden Age drawing from around 1732 to 1736, made with ink on paper. It feels like a quiet observation of rural life. What catches your eye when you look at this piece? Curator: As a materialist, I’m drawn to the simplicity of the materials: ink, paper. It's fascinating how the artist chose to depict these landscapes. We can ask ourselves: What specific kinds of paper and ink are being employed here? How would these materials affect mark making? What does the physical process of applying the ink to the paper suggest about De Haen's relationship to the landscape? Also, the landscapes, these scenes weren’t pristine wilderness. These are agricultural settings, shaped by human labor. Editor: So you're looking beyond the aesthetic representation, focusing on the literal components and their history? Curator: Precisely. Consider the social context: the Dutch Golden Age was fueled by global trade. These rural scenes, idyllic as they may seem, are inextricably linked to broader economic and labor systems. This prompts me to ask: In what ways does the availability and consumption of goods affect the style, creation, and reception of this kind of drawing? How are rural workers reflected (or not) in this idyllic scene? The drawing isn't just an innocent observation, it is implicated in the era’s systems of material production. Editor: That makes me consider the economics behind it: the production of the ink and paper. And it's interesting how that perspective reveals the layers within the work. I hadn’t thought about the connection between trade and what seems like a simple landscape drawing. Curator: Exactly! It is a reminder that art never exists in a vacuum. Editor: This changes my entire perspective on what I see in this drawing. Thanks!