Bomen bij steile rotswand 1597 - 1599

Pieter Stevens made this drawing of trees by a steep cliff wall with pen and brown ink, brush and gray and blue watercolor in the late 16th century. It might seem counterintuitive, but drawing was a trade at this time, a job to be done. The pen work is precise and delicate; you can see Stevens rendered the forms using many tiny strokes, a testament to both his skill and patience. The addition of watercolor washes softens the image, giving depth to the foliage. Paper production in the 16th century was labor-intensive. Each sheet was made by hand, often from recycled textiles. The act of repeatedly dipping his pen, the controlled movement required to produce such fine lines, and the layering of washes suggests a meditative approach. As you look, consider the amount of time involved, the skilled labor, and the careful use of precious materials. It challenges conventional notions of art as solely about the image, and invites us to appreciate the process and labor woven into the very fabric of this drawing.