Wensbrief met visser en bloemenvazen 1825

This “Wensbrief met visser en bloemenvazen”, or “Wish Letter with fisherman and flower vases”, was made by Leonardus Schweickhardt. Executed in pen and watercolour, this delicate work reflects the fine skill of the draughtsman’s hand. Notice how the artist has used line, wash, and shadow to imbue the image with a sense of depth, despite the work’s essentially graphic nature. The calligraphic writing that adorns the top two thirds of the work is also drawn by hand. Each character is carefully rendered, with slight flourishes and curves. The overall impression is one of meticulousness, indicative of the substantial labor involved in the production of this piece. These types of ‘wish letters’ were common in the eighteenth and nineteenth century and served as New Year’s greetings. The letter’s careful construction, and use of artistic techniques reflects the value placed on craftsmanship, and the importance of conveying personal sentiment through hand-made objects. This in turn challenges the traditional art-historical hierarchy, where craft has often been seen as secondary to fine art.