Het kasteel Raaphorst bij Wassenaar 1670 - 1736

Jacobus Stellingwerff made this drawing of Het kasteel Raaphorst bij Wassenaar with pen, ink, and watercolor wash. Notice the precision of the lines, achieved through the controlled application of ink with a quill. The addition of the watercolor wash lends depth and texture to the scene, softening the starkness of the ink lines and suggesting the subtle variations in light and shadow across the landscape. These artisanal processes are rooted in traditions of craftsmanship and technical mastery. Consider the social context of this kind of landscape art. It was often commissioned by wealthy landowners to document their estates, reflecting a culture of patronage where artists were supported by the elite, and artistic production was closely tied to social status and economic power. Looking closely at the materials and methods used by Stellingwerff, we gain insights into the cultural values and social relations of the time. It’s a reminder that art is never made in a vacuum, but is always connected to the worlds of labor, materials, and lived experience.