Studie c. 1811

Andreas Schelfhout created this Studie, or study, using brushstrokes of diluted ink on paper. The fluidity of the ink allowed Schelfhout to capture the essence of a scene with minimal marks, and the absorbency of the paper created subtle gradations and soft edges. Schelfhout's process here shows an economy of gesture that embodies efficiency, which was becoming an increasing feature of 19th-century life and attitudes. The technique is reminiscent of watercolour, a medium associated with landscape painting and favored for its portability, allowing artists to quickly sketch outdoors and capture fleeting moments in nature. This immediacy speaks to the changing pace of life during the industrial revolution, where artists were keen to document and engage with the rapidly evolving world around them, and also reflects the rise of more democratic forms of art making. By emphasizing the significance of materials, making, and context, we can better understand the full meaning of this artwork, blurring the lines between fine art and craft.