Studie 1876 - 1924

This study was made by Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof using graphite. Here, we observe a study of architectural elements, rendered with a delicate hand. Notice the recurring motif of the corbel, an architectural bracket used to support a structure above. The corbel appears throughout history, from ancient Egyptian temples to Roman aqueducts, each time with a different degree of complexity. Initially a humble structural necessity, supporting arches and vaults, the corbel evolved into an ornamental feature. In Gothic architecture, it transformed into elaborate carvings of faces, foliage, or beasts. Consider how such functional elements transcend their practical origins, gathering layers of cultural meaning. The corbel, repeated here in its study format, becomes a subconscious echo of human efforts, an affirmation of mankind's enduring presence. Think of the emotional resonance of this repetition—an assertion of permanence.