Triomfbogen c. 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this sketch, titled 'Triomfbogen', using a pencil on paper. Dijsselhof emerged during a period when artists were grappling with questions of national identity and cultural heritage. The sketch presents two studies of triumphal arches. Triumphal arches were historically built to commemorate military victories or significant achievements, becoming powerful symbols of state authority. Dijsselhof’s focus on this architectural form speaks to a broader interest in exploring themes of power, victory, and historical memory. While these arches are not explicitly linked to a particular event, we might consider how their repeated use in art and architecture perpetuates narratives of dominance. In contrast to the grand scale of real triumphal arches, Dijsselhof’s sketches are intimate, and almost vulnerable, hinting at the complexity of the Dutch cultural identity. Dijsselhof asks us to reflect on the emotional and personal dimensions of cultural symbols.