Knaging 1675 - 1737

This watercolor entitled "Knaging" was made by Pieter van den Berge in the late 17th or early 18th century. The artist has used watercolor and pencil on paper to create a vibrant character study. Despite its size, there is a great intensity in this small work. You can see the artist's fluid handling of the watercolor medium, especially where he has used thin washes of color to build up the figure’s clothing. This choice gives the artwork an immediacy, as if the image has been captured in a fleeting moment. It's also interesting to note that watercolor's portability meant it could be used "en plein air," or outside, which was increasingly valued as part of an authentic artistic process. In "Knaging," Van den Berge prompts us to consider how materials and techniques contribute to the artwork’s overall effect. This piece reminds us to value not just the final image, but the artistry and process involved in its creation.