Rijtjeshuizen aan een straat c. 1888

This is Willem Koekkoek’s sketch of Rijtjeshuizen aan een straat, or Terraced Houses on a Street. It’s a drawing on paper with a minimal use of line to delineate the forms of buildings. The sketch presents a structural exploration of urban architecture. Koekkoek uses sparse lines to define the basic shapes of the houses, focusing on their geometric arrangement. The linear perspective guides the eye, creating a sense of depth and space. The sketch explores the relationship between form and representation, reducing complex structures to their essential lines. This approach highlights the constructed nature of our environment, prompting a reflection on how architectural forms shape our perception. The interplay of lines and negative space emphasizes the underlying structure of urban space and prompts reflection on the semiotic relationship between representation and reality.