Maximilien de Hénin-Lietard, graaf van Bossu, als krijgsgevangene in Hoorn binnengevoerd, oktober 1573 1785 - 1787

Jacobus Buys made this drawing of "Maximilien de Hénin-Lietard, Count of Bossu, being brought into Hoorn as a prisoner of war, October 1573" using pen and brush in gray ink and gray wash on paper. Notice the deftness of line and the limited tonal range. Buys was clearly skilled in the handling of these materials, yet the technique is deployed to capture a fleeting moment, rather than to create a timeless image. The paper support itself is humble. The focus is not on the preciousness of the materials themselves, but rather on the story being told. Consider this drawing in relation to the larger context of Dutch print culture, which was a significant commercial enterprise. The widespread availability of printed images democratized information and shaped public opinion. This drawing, therefore, can be seen as part of a larger system of production and consumption of images. It speaks to the rising merchant class, their interest in current events, and the ability of art to serve as a form of news and social commentary.