Huizen en molen aan een waterkant c. 1891

This is a sketchbook drawing titled "Huizen en molen aan een waterkant" by Egbert Rubertus Derk Schaap. The composition, laid out across two pages, contrasts a sturdy windmill on the left with a softer grouping of trees and houses on the right, both reflected in the water. The linear quality and subdued monochromatic tones create a sense of quiet observation. The windmill, rendered with more definite lines, anchors the scene and the composition of its architectural form is echoed in its watery reflection. Schaap’s use of reflection as a compositional tool brings us to the concepts of mirroring and duality – ideas prevalent in structuralist thought. The scene can be broken down into binary oppositions: hard versus soft, man-made versus natural. The sketch invites us to consider the interplay between these structural elements and how they contribute to the overall aesthetic experience of the artwork. It's a system of signs, asking us to observe how the visual language of line and form shapes our understanding and challenges our perception.