Kalkoven bij Lyon 1699 - 1719

Michiel van Overbeek made this drawing of a limekiln near Lyon using pen in brown ink, sometime between 1678 and 1709. Note how Van Overbeek’s choice of material, a simple brown ink, echoes the earthy subject matter. The scene depicts a process central to building in this period. Limekilns like this one were essentially ovens used to heat limestone, producing quicklime. This material, when mixed with water, sand, and other aggregates, becomes mortar – the glue that holds brick and stone structures together. Look closely, and you can see the laborers feeding the kiln, their work rendered with the same careful strokes as the surrounding landscape. The drawing’s focus isn't just on the picturesque; it’s also a record of industry, capturing the intense labor required to produce a seemingly simple material. By focusing our attention on these types of images, we recognize that craft, labor, and industry are essential to understanding art's broader cultural significance.