Man in een landschap buiten Zwolle c. 1659

Gesina ter Borch made this drawing, "Man in een landschap buiten Zwolle," likely with pen, ink, and watercolor, within the intimate setting of a family album. The paper support has a soft texture, giving a receptive surface for the ink to flow. The washes of watercolor add delicate hues to the figures and landscape, subtly bringing them to life. The handwritten verse above the sketch and meticulous rendering of details, such as the man's elaborate costume, give an insight into the artist's skilled hand and the culture of artistic refinement in the Dutch Golden Age. The materiality of this work, and its existence within a family album, speaks to the significance of drawing as a social practice. It goes beyond pure aesthetic expression, embedding itself in the everyday life and personal connections of its maker. By recognizing this, we can move past traditional hierarchies and gain a deeper appreciation of the artist's work.