Façade van een woonhuis 1856

This is Jan Diederikus Kruseman's "Facade of a House", a drawing rendered with precise lines, that captures a detailed architectural scene. The drawing employs varying densities of lines to create depth, giving us a glimpse into its materiality. The architecture is the focal point. Note the linear quality used to depict the intricate details of the façade. The use of hatching and cross-hatching to create the illusion of volume destabilizes traditional representation. By doing so, the viewer questions their understanding of space and form. The perspective is slightly elevated, which allows for a comprehensive view of the building's structure and its immediate surroundings. This choice of perspective is more than a simple recording; it’s an exploration of how perspective shapes our comprehension. Kruseman's play with line and form is a deliberate engagement with the principles of representation, inviting us to reconsider how we perceive architectural spaces through art.