Jacoba van Beieren schiet te Goes naar de papegaai, ca. 1430 1778 - 1795

This drawing, made around 1730 by Jacobus Buys, depicts Jacoba van Beieren shooting at a bird target in Goes, using pen and gray ink, brush in gray and brown, and graphite. The texture of the drawing is crucial, as the controlled but varied pen strokes convey the texture of garments, faces, and natural forms such as the surrounding trees. The work is a drawing, not painting, so we're looking at marks that result from action: the hand of the artist moving across the surface, making decisions about when and where to apply pressure, creating lines that define and articulate form. Buys was very attuned to the cultural significance of textiles, fashion and clothing as material expression and identity. This drawing is not just about recording an event; it's about how material culture can represent power, status, and cultural values. By taking a closer look at the materiality and making of the image, we can understand its deeper social and cultural significance.