Groep herders maakt plezier in de zomer Possibly 1654

This image, made by Gesina ter Borch, is a page from an album amicorum, or a friendship book, a kind of proto-yearbook popular in the 17th century. It combines watercolor, ink, and paper – humble, everyday materials. Ter Borch’s use of these materials is particularly interesting. Paper, while ubiquitous, was a valuable commodity, and watercolor, though easy to handle, requires precision. Here, the thin washes of color give depth to the scene of shepherds relaxing, their clothes adding pops of red, yellow, and blue. Her work transforms modest materials into an intimate record of friendship, capturing the leisure of pastoral life. The techniques employed by Ter Borch were accessible but required considerable skill. Her attention to detail suggests a deep understanding of the materials and processes involved, and the social currency of such albums. This image exemplifies how craft, design, and fine art intersect, blurring traditional boundaries and enriching our appreciation of the art.