Amfitheater te Kleef, naar het Zuiden gezien 1675 - 1685

This drawing of an amphitheater in Kleef, Germany, was made in the late 17th century by Jan van Call, using ink and watercolor on paper. The artist's hand is present in the rendering of every detail. The application of watercolor washes in thin layers conveys an image of a picturesque landscape, a place for leisure and relaxation, created for and enjoyed by the wealthy. The materiality of the artwork reflects the social and economic conditions of the time, with a clear division between the wealthy and those who serve them. The labor involved in creating the gardens and maintaining them is not explicitly shown, but it is implicit in the formal design, and the architecture, which would have been a considerable construction project. Paying attention to such details challenges the traditional distinction between fine art and craft, and encourages us to consider the social and economic context in which artworks are made and consumed.