An Osteria in the Campagna 1652 - 1689

Jacob van der Ulft made this drawing of an Osteria using pen and brown wash on paper. At first glance, the artwork’s material seems straightforward, however, the execution reveals a layered process. Notice how the brown wash is applied in varying concentrations to create depth and shadow, a technique requiring careful control and skilled judgment. The artist’s choice of a relatively simple medium does not diminish the impact of the artwork, but rather intensifies the focus on the architectural forms of the building. The use of brown wash gives a sense of warmth and antiquity, evoking the appearance of old parchments or sepia photographs. The artist emphasizes the texture of the stone and plaster surfaces through short, repetitive strokes and delicate shading. It's an aesthetic far removed from the high polish of oil paintings; here the emphasis is on the beauty of humbleness. This interplay of materials, making, and subject invites us to appreciate the significance of work, both the artist's labor and that of the people who built and maintained this structure.