Ronde Lutherse Kerk te Amsterdam 1890 - 1946

Here we see Cornelis Vreedenburgh's sketch of the Ronde Lutherse Kerk in Amsterdam, probably made with graphite on paper. There's a directness to sketching, it’s about mark-making and being in the moment, just like painting. Here, it feels like Vreedenburgh is working quickly, trying to capture the essence of the building. The lines are sparse but confident, and the shading is minimal, which makes me think about how much you can do with so little. Look at the way the dome is rendered, with these curved lines that suggest its volume and the little dark hatching giving it weight. It is like Vreedenburgh is saying, "Here’s the important stuff, the rest is just context." There's something about this sketch that reminds me of the architectural drawings of someone like Otto Wagner, especially in its simplicity and functional beauty. It’s a reminder that art isn’t always about grand statements; sometimes, it’s about the quiet observation of the world around us.