Gruppe mit einem Berittenen und einem Packtier vor einem Haus 

Jan Asselijn made this drawing, 'Gruppe mit einem Berittenen und einem Packtier vor einem Haus', with chalk on paper sometime in the first half of the 17th century. The materials are simple, but the way they’re handled gives us a real insight into the social context of the time. Chalk, a readily available material, allows for quick, expressive marks, capturing a fleeting moment. Notice how Asselijn uses the chalk to create depth and texture, the rough strokes suggesting the folds of clothing, the shaggy fur of the pack animal. The scene itself speaks to the realities of labor and travel. The figures, with their pack animal, are likely merchants or travelers, their lives dependent on the movement of goods and the rhythms of trade. There's a sense of immediacy in the drawing, the artist capturing a transient moment of everyday life, elevating the ordinary through the skilled use of a humble material. By focusing on the materials and the making, we can appreciate how even a simple drawing can offer a window into the social and economic realities of its time.