Huizen aan de Stegerhoek te Noordwijk-Binnen 1822 - 1893

Editor: This drawing and watercolor, "Huizen aan de Stegerhoek te Noordwijk-Binnen," by Willem Troost, seems like a quick study of rooftops and architectural details. I'm struck by the contrast between the carefully rendered row of houses on the left and the much looser sketches on the right. What do you make of this piece? Curator: It's interesting to see this drawing within the context of 19th-century Dutch art. There was a growing interest in depicting everyday life and the local landscape. Troost is documenting not just the physical appearance of these houses, but also capturing a specific place, Noordwijk-Binnen. Do you notice how the perspective and the artist’s focus gives an impression of a quickly executed scene rather than a formal depiction? Editor: I do, it's almost like a snapshot. The red rooftops really draw the eye, even though the colours are quite muted overall. It seems incomplete though, more like preparatory sketches. Curator: Exactly, consider the function of these "snapshots." This could have served as studies for a larger painting, where he would develop certain elements more fully. And also what audience would it appeal to at the time? Perhaps to burghers wanting records of the places they knew? The medium itself—watercolor and drawing—suggests a more intimate and personal approach, making it more accessible for wider society to experience art outside grand galleries. Editor: That's fascinating! It gives a whole new meaning to these seemingly simple architectural sketches. It really changes your perception, to imagine their impact at the time. Curator: Precisely! It reminds us that even sketches like this contribute to how we understand the artistic and cultural landscape of the time. It wasn't just about high art.