Gezicht over de Lek op het dorp Vreeswijk 1744

Jan de Beijer created this drawing called ‘View over the Lek at the village of Vreeswijk’ using pen and gray ink. Dominating the scene is the village itself, a cluster of buildings and trees mirrored in the calm waters of the Lek. De Beijer’s composition is carefully structured. Note how the horizontal format emphasizes the expansive landscape, yet it is the verticality of the church spire that draws the eye, creating a focal point amidst the scene’s horizontality. The artist plays with light and shadow to create depth, using delicate hatching to define form and texture. The precise linework captures the details of the architecture and vegetation. The reflection of the buildings on the water suggests a sense of tranquility and harmony between the village and its natural surroundings. Here, De Beijer's drawing isn’t merely a representation but a constructed view, blending topographical accuracy with aesthetic arrangement to invite contemplation.