Langsdoorsnede van de villa Grimaldi te Genua 1622

Nicolaes Ryckmans made this cross-section of the Villa Grimaldi in Genoa, likely with ink on paper, sometime in the early 17th century. This wasn't an age of photography, of course. Instead, you had to represent architecture through the craft of drawing. The material qualities of ink – its fluidity, its capacity for fine detail – make this representation possible. Notice the sharp lines and the detailed hatching that gives depth to the walls. The controlled hand of the artist, trained in the traditions of architectural drafting, brings the villa to life. These skills were essential for planning and constructing buildings, requiring a deep understanding of geometry, perspective, and the behavior of materials like stone and wood. But more than just a technical drawing, this is a cultural artifact. It speaks to the labor involved in creating these grand villas – the stonemasons, carpenters, and other skilled workers whose efforts are distilled into this single image. The drawing is a testament to the artistic practices embedded in architectural design. It reminds us that buildings are not just functional structures, but also products of skilled labor.