Mountain Landscape with a Dismounted Rider and Other Hunters on Horseback c. 1680 - 1690

Dirk Maas created this landscape drawing with pen in gray ink and brush in gray wash. It's a scene of wealthy hunters on horseback, taking a break in their excursion. The drawing emphasizes the contrast between the laborious task of the dismounted rider tending to his horse and the leisurely activity of the other hunters. The landscapes and figures are built up with fine parallel lines of ink. Washes of gray are added to create depth, texture, and shadows, demonstrating the artist's skill in manipulating the ink to achieve a range of tonal effects, evoking the atmosphere of the landscape. The medium itself, ink on paper, would have been relatively accessible, yet the technique would have required considerable training and practice. The artwork provides insight into the social dynamics of the time, and the relationship between labor, leisure, and class. It invites us to consider not only what is depicted, but also how the materials and making processes contribute to our understanding of the artwork's cultural and social context.