Oded bij het leger der Israëlieten 1712

Bernard Picart made this drawing, "Oded bij het leger der Israëlieten," in 1712 using pen and brush in grey ink, with grey wash. It depicts a biblical scene with a large number of figures and soldiers. Picart's choice of pen and ink, combined with the grey wash, creates a monochromatic effect, emphasizing the play of light and shadow, and providing depth and volume to the scene. The artist likely employed a quill for finer details and a brush for broader strokes, adding tonal variation to the drawing. What interests me about this work is that the labor involved in creating such a detailed composition, would have been considerable. The artist would have needed a high level of skill to achieve the level of detail, and would have required a significant amount of time and patience. Thinking about this drawing in terms of labor and the economics of art production gives us insight into the artistic practice of the time. It challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft, asking us to consider the value of skilled labor and the social context in which art is made.