Gezicht op Péronne 1656

This is an anonymous view of Péronne, made with pen, brush, and watercolour on paper. The artist used the paper support as a ground for the artwork. The pen defined contours, while the brush allowed washes of watercolor to define the fields, sky, and the town itself. This combination of techniques allowed for an interesting interplay between precision and atmospheric effect. The fortifications of the town are given as much attention as the clouds above. Consider the process involved. Paper and pigments were produced through skilled labor, then traded, then applied by an artist who would have been trained in the techniques of drawing and painting. All these stages of work are implicit in the finished image. By considering the making of this drawing, and the labor that went into it, we can more fully appreciate the image and its historical context. This approach reminds us that even a simple work on paper has a rich story to tell.