Gevecht tussen ruiterij en voetvolk 1780

Dirk Langendijk made this drawing of a battle between cavalry and infantry using pen and grey ink, with grey wash on paper. Ink on paper is an interesting combination because the ink sits on the surface of the paper, making the texture of the paper a key part of the work. You can almost feel the artist’s hand, as he has to carefully and skillfully build up the tonal range, stroke by stroke, using the grey wash. Look closely and you’ll see how the ink defines the figures, bringing the chaos of battle to life with dynamic lines, while the grey wash softens the image and creates depth. Drawings like this were not considered 'high art', but they demanded precise technique and careful labour. Langendijk had to be both a skilled draughtsman, capable of capturing complex scenes, and a careful technician, controlling the flow of ink and wash. Considering the materials and making process helps us appreciate the artistic skill involved, and challenges traditional ideas about what counts as important art.