Gezicht op de singel richting de Tiendewegspoort en gezicht op de haven van de IJssel te Gouda 1786 - 1792

This is a detailed engraving made by Carel Frederik Bendorp. Here, Bendorp uses a dual composition to present two distinct views of Gouda, creating a comparative study within a single frame. In the upper register, the artist employs precise lines to depict the canal, drawing the eye along its length. This is juxtaposed with the lower scene, where the bustling harbor is rendered with a denser network of lines, evoking a sense of activity. The engraving technique itself invites contemplation. The stark contrast between light and shadow, achieved through meticulous cross-hatching, flattens the depth. This flattening challenges traditional perspective, instead emphasizing the surface and the graphic quality of the work. In doing so, the artist compels us to consider the print not just as a representation, but as an object in itself.