Gezicht op Achter de Muur, de huidige Doelenstraat, in Harderwijk Possibly 1863 - 1867

This drawing of the Doelenstraat in Harderwijk is by Cornelis Springer. With graphite on paper, the artist captures a street scene with an open sketchbook format that is both intimate and immediate. Springer employs a visual structure built upon the contrast between the solidity of architectural forms and the natural elements that soften the street. Note how line and shading combine to create a sense of depth. Linear perspective guides the eye down the street, framed by buildings on either side. The density of marks increases in the foreground, establishing spatial recession through tonal variation. The sketch format emphasizes the process of seeing and recording, rather than a finished, idealized view. The choice of graphite lends itself to capturing fleeting moments and impressions, engaging with ideas about perception and the experience of space. The unfinished quality invites the viewer to actively participate in completing the image. This emphasis on process and perception reflects a modern sensibility.