Druiven 1823

Eelke Jelles Eelkema painted this study of grapes in 1822, using watercolor on paper. The effect depends on the careful application of thin washes of color, layered to suggest the subtle gradations of tone on the fruit and stems. Eelkema's technique gives the grapes a translucent quality, as if the light is passing right through them. The artist was working in a long tradition of botanical and still-life painting, but even within that convention, there's a striking degree of observation here. Look closely, and you'll notice the slight imperfections on the grapes: tiny blemishes and variations in color that make them seem so lifelike. It's easy to overlook the skill involved in such a seemingly simple image. Eelkema’s mastery of his materials – the way he coaxes so much detail out of humble watercolor – elevates this study beyond mere illustration, and into the realm of fine art.