View along the City Wall of Utrecht, from the South, with the Smeetoren (‘Blacksmiths’ Tower’) on the Left and the Mariakerk in the Distance on the Right c. 1680 - 1690

Abraham Rutgers created this ink drawing, "View along the City Wall of Utrecht," likely in the latter half of the 17th century. Its sepia tones and delicate lines offer a tranquil, almost dreamlike vision. Notice how Rutgers uses linear perspective to guide our eye along the path, from the dark foreground toward the distant Mariakerk. The rhythmic repetition of trees along the right creates a visual cadence, juxtaposed against the stark, geometric facade of the building on the left. The artist has masterfully used shadow to create depth, especially evident in the contrast between the sunlit path and the shaded side of the building. Rutgers uses a limited palette and precise lines to create a scene that feels both realistic and carefully constructed. The drawing invites us to consider how urban and natural landscapes intersect, and how perspective can shape our perception of space. The drawing emphasizes an era increasingly interested in scientific observation and the formal study of space.