Gevels van de Kloosterpoort te 's-Hertogenbosch 1867 - 1869

This sketch of the Kloosterpoort in ‘s-Hertogenbosch was made by Isaac Gosschalk, most likely in the late 19th century, using graphite on paper. The marks are spare and economical, yet enough to convey the architectural detail. The real subject is clearly the carved stonework of the portal. Stonemasonry of this kind involved many skilled hands, from the quarrymen extracting the stone to the carvers who gave it ornamental form. It's important to remember that a great building like this depends on not only the architect's design, but also the labor and the creative inputs of the people who made it. Looking closely at the drawing brings the physical act of its creation into view, helping us to appreciate the labor that goes into making architecture itself. It challenges us to look at buildings not just as aesthetic objects, but also as products of skilled work.