Fantasiegezicht op een zuidelijke havenstad 17th century

This southern port city view was drawn by Jan Abrahamsz. Beerstraten in the mid-17th century. The drawing is made using graphite or a similar material on paper. The softness of the graphite allows for a wide range of values, from light, airy skies to dark, reflective water. The artist skillfully uses the pencil to create depth and texture. Look closely, and you’ll see Beerstraten captures the bustling activity of a port city. The level of detail suggests the drawing was made with precision, and perhaps intended as a study for a larger painting. The lines would have been laid down with careful strokes, to capture the reflections of the water. The material qualities of the paper are also important here: the texture of the paper allows the graphite to grab and create a beautiful level of detail. Whether considered a preparatory sketch or a finished work, the drawing embodies the intersection of craft, design, and materiality.