De Oostpoort te Delft 1761

Gerrit Toorenburgh rendered "De Oostpoort te Delft" in the 18th century, using pen and gray ink, with gray wash. The choice of materials here is interesting. While oil paint was ascending as the dominant medium for artistic expression, Toorenburgh elected for the humbler materials of pen and ink. The gray wash, applied with a brush, softens the image and gives a sense of atmosphere, but the linework remains precise and controlled. Note the incredible level of detail. From the brickwork of the gate to the reflections in the water, every element is carefully rendered. This was achieved not with rapid gestures, but with patient, meticulous labor. The social context of this drawing is therefore important. It speaks to a culture in which craftsmanship was highly valued, and in which the patient accumulation of detail was seen as a virtue. This approach challenges the later elevation of "genius" and "originality" above more workaday skills.