Bruiloftsstoet c. 1660

Wouter Schouten created this drawing, Bruiloftsstoet, using graphite on paper in the late 17th century. Far from being a finished artwork, this sketch gives us a glimpse into the artist's process. The graphite lines are spare, yet they vividly evoke the hustle and bustle of a wedding procession. Schouten masterfully uses the simplicity of graphite to capture the texture of clothing and the weight of the figures moving through the scene. Interestingly, drawing with graphite emerged alongside the rise of industrial capitalism. Graphite, mined and processed, became readily available as a tool for both artists and laborers. Here, Schouten transforms this humble material into a scene of social life, inviting us to consider the relationship between celebration and the everyday materials that shape our world. It reminds us that even the most seemingly simple materials carry a wealth of cultural and historical significance.