Gezicht op Arnhem met Rijnbrug c. 1850

Hendrik Wilhelmus Last created this print called *Gezicht op Arnhem met Rijnbrug* using etching, a technique notable for its fine lines and detailed textures. The muted tones and linear precision establish a sense of calm and order. The work is structured around the Rhine bridge which acts as a focal point, drawing the viewer's eye into the composition. The bridge is also a signifier, a symbol connecting the town with trade, progress and perhaps even military strategy. The artist uses a clear understanding of perspective to create depth, reinforced by the contrast between the detailed foreground and the softer background. The frame around the image, adorned with botanical motifs, creates a boundary, but also emphasizes the view. It is a window not just onto a landscape, but also onto an idea of landscape as something framed, composed and ultimately interpreted. The symmetry, careful detailing and structured layout reflects the formal values of the period, but also invite us to think about how we perceive space and place.