Gezicht op Eembrugge vanaf de oever van de Eem Possibly 1732 - 1736

Abraham de Haen the second, created this drawing of Eembrugge from the banks of the Eem, using graphite on paper. The sketch, with its relatively simple materials, invites us to consider the relationship between art and everyday life in the 18th century. Graphite, a form of carbon, gives the sketch its range of light and dark tones. Its texture is smooth, allowing for fine details in the architectural rendering of the bridge and buildings. Graphite is a relatively inexpensive material, it makes art accessible, and this is shown in its purpose for preparatory studies and preliminary sketches like this. The drawing, while seemingly modest, speaks to the burgeoning merchant class of the Dutch Golden Age, where waterways were essential for trade and transport. De Haen's focus on infrastructure and architecture reflects a society deeply invested in commerce and progress, inviting us to rethink traditional definitions of art.