Italianate Landscape with An Artist Sketching from Nature 1650

Jan Dirksz Both painted this Italianate Landscape using oil on canvas, which was a pretty standard method back in the 17th century. But think about that canvas, carefully woven, stretched, and primed—a real feat of skilled labor. And then there's the paint itself, pigments ground and mixed with oils, each color a result of sourcing materials from all over. You can see the rich browns and greens, achieved through careful layering and glazing, giving depth to the rocks and foliage. Look at the way Both captured the textures of the stone and the shimmering water. It’s not just about depicting a scene. It's about showing off his mastery of materials. Oil painting in this era wasn’t just an art form; it was a craft, deeply embedded in systems of trade and skill. By appreciating the artistry of the making, we recognize the value and complexity of the creative process, challenging any divide between art and craft.