Landschap met weg 1864 - 1936

Jan van Essen made this landscape with road in the late 19th, early 20th century using watercolor and graphite on paper. The watery consistency of the paint allowed van Essen to capture a transient moment. With fluid brushstrokes and subtle gradations, the artist deftly suggests the play of light on the road, the movement of clouds in the sky, and the gentle rustling of leaves in the trees. These are all traditional fine art materials. The application is minimal and suggestive, but it is not "non-labour". There’s a skillful hand at play here, carefully working with the properties of the medium, controlling the flow of pigment, and judging the right amount of detail to include. It’s easy to take such a scene for granted, yet consider the artist’s commitment to translating his perception onto paper. It encourages us to pause and appreciate the beauty found in the everyday. By focusing on the material qualities and the labor involved, we recognize the value and significance of art-making.