Markt te Emmerik 1737

Jan de Beijer made this drawing of a market in Emmerik using pen and brown ink, with watercolor, sometime in the 18th century. The artist has captured a town square filled with the hustle and bustle of everyday life through the deft application of ink and watercolor on paper. The quality of the lines and washes are delicate but precise, reflecting the skills of observation and execution required of the draughtsman. De Beijer's choice of materials – humble paper, ink, and watercolor – invites us to consider the drawing's social context. This wasn't a grand commission, but a view of a lived environment that would have been accessible to many. The materials are essential to understanding the artwork’s accessibility, both in its creation and its reception, showing us that everyday life is a rich source of artistic inspiration.