Bijbelcitaat 1646

Gesina ter Borch made this sheet of calligraphy with iron gall ink on paper. The traditional method involves crushing oak galls, mixing them with iron salts, and then adding a binder. Iron gall ink has a deep, rich color when first applied, but it fades over time to a warm brown hue, as we see here. The quality of the writing depends on the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the scribe. Ter Borch skillfully varies the pressure on her quill to create lines that swell and diminish. The act of writing, even copying letters, was considered a valuable skill for women during the Dutch Golden Age, demonstrating education, refinement, and patience. Consider the time and labor involved in producing this work: from preparing the ink, and carefully forming each letter. Ter Borch's rendering is a testament to the enduring human impulse to master materials. By recognizing the value of craft, we can understand the cultural and social contexts in which the artist lived.