Bei zwei Bäumen ein Haus am Wasser, ein Steg, rechts die Spitze eines Kahnes 

Jan Hulswit made this tranquil scene of a house by the water, with pen and brown ink, using watercolor over graphite. Notice how the artist has harnessed the fluidity of watercolor, allowing it to mimic the reflective quality of water. This inherent characteristic of the material creates a sense of gentle movement and life. The detailed pen work adds a layer of precision, defining the structural elements of the buildings and landscape. The artist has also depicted the labor embedded in building the home, with a thatched roof, wooden logs, and a modest boat with a figure walking along the footbridge. These vernacular skills reflect the life and labor of the local people, their knowledge, and their engagement with the natural world. Ultimately, by paying attention to the materials and ways of making, we gain insight into the lives and social context embedded within the artwork. It challenges us to reconsider how we value the knowledge of art and craft.