Het aquaduct van de Aqua Claudia, gezien naar de bergen 1788 - 1839

Hendrik Voogd made this drawing of the Aqua Claudia aqueduct, seen towards the mountains, with graphite on paper. The simple act of drawing with graphite allows for close observation and documentation. Voogd’s choice to use it is no accident. Graphite, easily sourced and widely available, offered a way to capture the grandeur of the ancient Roman aqueduct without the need for elaborate materials or studio settings. The aqueduct itself stands as a testament to the ingenuity and labor of Roman engineers and workers. Constructed from stone and concrete, it was a monumental feat of engineering intended to supply water to the city of Rome. Voogd captures this relationship between human labor, landscape, and material culture. In doing so, he elevates the humble graphite drawing to a means of reflecting on broader issues of history, industry, and the relationship between humans and the built environment.