Hoge huizen in het hout, boven een water 1813 - 1862

Barend Cornelis Koekkoek made this drawing titled 'High houses in the woods, above a water' using pen and brush in gray ink. The composition is structured by a horizontal division, with the lower half dominated by a stream and the upper half by dense foliage and buildings. The buildings, rendered with simple geometric shapes, provide a stark contrast to the organic forms of the surrounding trees. The gray ink creates a muted palette, lending a sense of tranquility and distance to the scene. Koekkoek uses light and shadow to define form, particularly in the trees, creating depth. The work reflects an interest in the picturesque, blending natural beauty with architectural elements. This can be seen as engaging with the Romantic movement's fascination with nature and its intersection with human construction. Notice the artist's signature in the lower right; its placement and calligraphic style draw attention to the constructed nature of the image, reminding us that what we see is a crafted representation, not a mere replication of reality.