Ruitergevecht 1631 - 1676

Jacques Courtois made this drawing, "Ruitergevecht", with pen in brown ink on paper. The choice of such immediate materials really brings us close to Courtois's hand. Ink is a wonderfully direct medium, capable of capturing a fleeting moment. Look closely at how Courtois exploits this quality. He uses rapid, energetic strokes to depict the chaos of battle, conveying movement and dynamism through the sheer speed of his lines. The thinness of the ink also allows for layering and shading, creating depth and volume. The immediacy of the medium is so well suited to the subject of war, which requires quickness of mind, if not hand. He was celebrated for his battle scenes, an aestheticized genre that was popular in Europe in the 17th century. In contrast to painting, which demands a more elaborate form of production, drawings are singular and intimate. The artist's thinking is presented to us without mediation. It is a reminder that while this image is a representation of conflict, it is also simply a product of one person's labour. Courtois's skillful control of line transforms a humble material into a powerful expression.