Architectural Fantasy 1750 - 1816

Johann Ferdinand von Hohenberg made this Architectural Fantasy using pen and black ink with gray wash on paper in the 18th century. Notice how the materials lend themselves to rendering a complex architectural scene. The pen allows for intricate details, while the wash creates depth and shadow. The technique isn't particularly aligned with industrial modes of production, instead embracing a slower pace. Von Hohenberg uses the medium to evoke a sense of grandeur, even with just ink and paper, constructing a world of classical ruins, pastoral figures, and overgrown landscapes. The act of drawing becomes a form of world-building, and the image is imbued with social and cultural significance. This fantasy invites us to see beyond the immediate representation, and appreciate the labor and skill involved in bringing this vision to life. This perspective challenges traditional distinctions between art and craft.