Achterwielen van een wagen Possibly 1650 - 1652

Harmen ter Borch made this red chalk drawing of the rear wheels of a wagon in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-17th century. At first glance, it's a simple sketch, perhaps a study for a larger work. But let's consider the social context. In the Dutch Golden Age, the wagon was more than just a mode of transport; it was a symbol of trade, commerce, and the burgeoning mercantile economy that defined the era. Ter Borch, working in this environment, may have seen the wagon as a visual shorthand for the economic engine driving Dutch society. The choice of red chalk itself is interesting; it was a common medium for preparatory sketches, but also lent a certain warmth and immediacy to the image. To truly understand this drawing, we might delve into the economic history of the period, exploring the role of wagons in the transport of goods and the social status of those who owned and operated them. Art history is detective work, and every artwork is a clue.