Romersk prospekt med bymur og kirker 1762

Jens Petersen Lund created this Roman prospect of city walls and churches using pen, ink, and watercolor sometime in the 18th century. The relatively simple tools and materials belie a sophisticated understanding of perspective and composition. Note how the washes of watercolor create depth and atmosphere, particularly in the way the buildings and the hill recede into the distance. The thinness of the application also allows the texture of the paper to remain visible, adding to the sketch’s liveliness. This technique, known as ‘laying a wash,’ was a common practice at the time, and required considerable skill to execute successfully. The artist had to work quickly and evenly to avoid streaks or blotches. While not as demanding as oil paint, ink and watercolor offered Lund a ready, portable way to capture the essence of a place. And though his chosen methods don’t involve materials like clay, metal, or wood, there’s still plenty to consider in how these elements, too, reflect traditions of creative practices and aesthetics. The image is a testament to the rich possibilities of seemingly modest materials.