Gezicht op het Custom House aan de rivier de Theems te Londen 1745 - 1775

This print, "Gezicht op het Custom House aan de rivier de Theems te Londen," was created by Jean-François Daumont. The composition unfolds horizontally, with the Custom House anchoring the left side, leading the eye across the River Thames toward distant ships and structures. Daumont organizes the scene using a play of architectural forms against the fluidity of the water. The linear precision in rendering the Custom House contrasts with the more gestural depiction of the river, suggesting a tension between order and movement. Notice how the artist uses color sparingly. Pale blues and greens dominate, giving a sense of openness, while touches of red draw attention to specific points within the scene. The print's perspective, combined with its formal qualities, invites reflections on representation and perception. Daumont's work doesn't merely depict a scene; it offers a constructed view that prompts us to consider how we see and interpret the world around us.