Gezicht door een poort op de kerk van Woudrichem Possibly 1750 - 1758

Jan de Beijer made this drawing of the church of Woudrichem with pen and brown ink, and brush in gray ink. The technique would have been well understood at the time. De Beijer’s application of the medium is what gives this artwork its charm, as ink and brush allowed him to depict the architectural landscape in great detail. Look closely to appreciate the texture of the brick arch, and how the ink wash is subtly layered to create light and shadow. The effect is a sense of depth and atmosphere, even in the absence of strong color. The creation of the drawing would have required patience and expertise. The artist would have needed a solid understanding of perspective, along with careful handling of his tools and materials. It also signals a certain social position, as paper, ink, and the leisure time to develop such skills would not have been available to everyone. So, next time you see a drawing like this, remember that it is not just a representation of a place, but an object with its own history of making, skill, and social context.