Profiel van de stad Ieper 1642 - 1690

Adam van der Meulen rendered this profile of the city of Ieper with pen in brown ink on paper sometime in the 17th century. Notice how the sepia lines form a skyline in the distance. The network of lines create various shapes denoting an urban profile, with different architectural structures standing side by side. The linear perspective gives depth while the drawing medium conveys a sense of immediacy, as though it were captured on site. The use of a single color flattens the composition, turning it into an exercise in form and pattern. The city is shown not as a bustling metropolis, but rather as a constructed environment, arranged by design. The precision of the lines suggests the rational mind imposing order on the urban landscape. Through its form and technique, this drawing invites us to consider the city not just as a place, but as a concept, shaped by human intellect.