De markt te Vlaardingen met de kerk en het stadhuis 1737 - 1779

Pieter Jan van Liender created this watercolor and pen drawing of the Vlaardingen market square in the mid-18th century. With its delicate washes of pigment, the drawing is both a precise architectural study, and an evocation of daily life. It shows the church and town hall rendered with close attention to their material presence, while figures populate the space around them. The architecture is represented in a linear fashion, with fine pen strokes, and the watercolor is lightly applied to give a sense of tone and texture. The skilled hand is evident throughout, particularly in the way the architectural details are accurately portrayed. Looking closely, you can see the way the architecture structures life and labour within the town. From the trading of wares to casual interactions, the site is presented as a hub of economic activity, and social integration. The artwork thus operates on multiple registers, combining the precision of technical drawing with a more painterly interest in social observation, calling into question the separation of fine art, craft, and social commentary.