Het St. Jobsgasthuis bij Utrecht 1756

Hendrik Gerbrand Schutter’s “Het St. Jobsgasthuis bij Utrecht” is made with pen in brown and grey ink, on paper. Schutter’s materials and processes in this work influence its delicate appearance, using subtle washes of tone to create form. Think about the skilled traditions that this artist engaged with. Pen and ink drawing has a long history that extends to other creative practices and aesthetics, alongside that of craft and fine art. The drawing is a mode of production that reflects its time in its depiction of the St. Jobs hospital, which was once used for the sick, poor, and elderly, built with money from legacies and gifts. It is the labor that society invested in the production of social welfare that Schutter captures in this image. By emphasizing materials, making, and context, we can understand the full meaning of Schutter's artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.