Constructie van houten balken 1860 - 1861

Isaac Gosschalk made this pencil sketch of a wooden structure, likely sometime in the late 19th century. At first glance, the drawing might seem like just a preliminary study, but I think it has value in itself. Gosschalk uses the inherent qualities of pencil to create a sense of depth and volume. The marks are loose and gestural, but they clearly define the structural elements of the building. We can also consider the social context of woodworking at the time. The industrial revolution was transforming building practices, but traditional carpentry skills were still highly valued. This drawing captures a moment when those two worlds were in dialogue, and encourages us to think about labor, politics, and consumption during that period. Ultimately, this sketch reminds us that understanding an artwork fully means considering materials, making, and context, while challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.