Monatsbild April, oben rechts das Zeichen des Stiers c. 1622

Matthäus Merian the Elder made this drawing, "Monatsbild April," using pen and gray ink, with a gray wash. The delicate lines and monochromatic palette might lead you to think this is simply a study, but consider the subject: a highly structured garden, with laborers tending to the soil. The artist's precise, almost architectural rendering gives dignity to this scene of labor, celebrating the productive capacity of both people and land. The drawing style reflects the influence of printmaking, Merian's primary trade. He made many such images for calendars and books. What might seem a straightforward depiction of springtime activity is thus deeply embedded in systems of production, distribution, and consumption. Looking closely reveals the artistry in what might be considered an everyday scene. The skill is not only in the hand of the draughtsman, but in the hands of the gardeners. This image reminds us that all making is a form of thinking.