Schets van een reliekhouder 1827 - 1891

Johannes Bosboom sketched this reliquary, a container for sacred relics, using pen and brown ink, likely in the mid-19th century. Bosboom's choice of materials and technique gives us insight into the artistry of his work. Brown ink, easily accessible and relatively inexpensive, allowed him to quickly capture the form and details of the reliquary. The simplicity of the line work emphasizes the reliquary's structure and ornamentation. Note the contrast between the delicate lines suggesting the play of light on the metal, and the bold strokes defining its overall shape. The sketch mimics the look of metalwork. Reliquaries like this one were often made from precious metals by highly skilled silversmiths, underscoring the contrast between the labor-intensive creation of a metal object and the relative ease of its depiction on paper. Bosboom's choice to represent this object in ink engages with questions of value and artistry, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.