Brief met twee ontwerpen voor allegorische vignetten Possibly 1776

This is a letter from 1776, penned by Johannes de Bosch in Amsterdam. The designs for allegorical vignettes are rendered in delicate ink on paper. These weren’t traditional art materials, but rather the everyday tools of writing and correspondence. Notice how the ink, though applied with precision, retains a sense of fluidity. The paper itself, likely handmade, has a subtle texture that interacts with the light, giving the drawing depth. De Bosch has used these simple materials to create intricate compositions within the vignettes. The process of drawing, with its inherent limitations, has influenced the final appearance of the artwork. The lines are crisp but suggest a speed of execution. The vignettes are rendered in a style that reflects the printmaking aesthetic of the time, indicating that they were perhaps designs for a book or publication. The amount of labor involved in this drawing is evident. This artwork invites us to consider the labor and the social context in which it was created, challenging the traditional hierarchy between fine art and craft.