Façade van een huis aan de binnenplaats bij het stadhuis te Nijmegen before 1889

This print depicts a brick facade, part of a house near the town hall in Nijmegen. Though the artist is anonymous, it’s likely they were trained in the tradition of architectural rendering. The image is all about the materiality of buildings. Notice the bricklaying, with subtle variations in color and texture. Also the wooden window shutters, each panel showing a unique grain. And stone carving, with details like the trefoil arches above the windows. Each of these materials speaks to a history of making. Bricks represent basic, repeated labor, multiplied across the entire structure. Wood speaks to carpentry and forestry, each tree unique. Stone suggests the art of the mason, who is tasked with cutting, shaping and assembling. Together, these processes have imbued the facade with cultural significance, connecting it to long traditions of building and skilled craftsmanship. Paying attention to materials, making, and context allows us to understand the full meaning of an artwork, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.