Le Château Sèlesin près de Liège 1740

Jan de Beijer’s drawing, "Le Château Sèlesin près de Liège", uses delicate lines to depict a sprawling castle and its surrounding landscape. The sepia wash lends a uniform tonality, which invites a deeper exploration into the structural elements of the composition. De Beijer employs a precise linear technique to construct the castle’s architecture, while the reflections in the water create a mirrored image that fractures the architectural solidity. This play with symmetry and reflection prompts a reconsideration of the relationship between reality and representation. The composition, divided horizontally, positions the architectural structures against the natural backdrop, subtly questioning the dominance of man-made structures. The drawing challenges conventional modes of representation. De Beijer invites us to question the interplay between representation and reality, and the symbolic implications of architectural forms within a landscape. The muted palette and delicate lines, while seemingly straightforward, open up a dialogue about the way we perceive and interpret the world around us.