Stadsgezicht met kanaal 1828 - 1897

Adrianus Eversen made this cityscape with watercolor and graphite. The thin washes of color and precise lines of graphite lend themselves well to the architectural subject matter. Eversen was known for his cityscapes, often depicting scenes of daily life in Dutch towns. Here, the buildings reflect in the water with the same amount of detail as their physical structures, a sign of technical mastery. As a work on paper, it is a relatively minor piece, yet it testifies to the intense competition among artists in the Netherlands at this time. To make a living, Eversen needed not only talent, but also the ability to quickly and efficiently represent a picturesque scene. Like many artists working in the 19th century, Eversen's practice was dependent on market forces and the demands of an increasingly commercialized art world, where rapid production was just as important as artistic skill. This lovely, tranquil scene belies the economic realities of the art world at the time it was made.