Ruïne op het Forum Boarium te Rome Possibly 1613 - 1717

Jan Gerritsz van Bronckhorst made this watercolor of the Ruin on the Forum Boarium in Rome. Watercolor painting involves layering translucent washes of pigment, and in this case, it's applied to paper. The wispy sky and soft rendering of the ancient architecture highlights the inherent qualities of the medium. The artist’s application has imbued the artwork with the cultural significance of both the classical world and the detailed approach to landscape. The technique requires a careful balance of control and spontaneity. There is a skillful tradition, that is balanced alongside both craft and fine arts aesthetics. The application of color to paper, tied to wider social issues, politics, and consumption, shows the traditional distinction between fine art and craft.