Architectuurstudie 1845 - 1925

Julius Jacobus van de Sande Bakhuyzen created this architectural study with graphite, and the drawing shows what appears to be a section of a domed structure. Note the presence of the arch, which extends beyond the confines of simple structure. From ancient Roman aqueducts to Gothic cathedrals, the arch symbolizes not just architectural strength but also continuity and connection. Think, for instance, of triumphal arches, gateways to power, or even the rainbow arch of hope. The very shape suggests passage and transition, evoking an almost subconscious desire to transcend boundaries. This motif is not static. It has echoed and mutated through time, reappearing in unexpected places and forms, such as the arches in Renaissance paintings as symbols of divine presence, the curve of a ship’s hull representing progress, or even the arc of a dancer’s leap. Each iteration charges the symbol with new emotional power. The arch in this study speaks to the human aspiration for something grander, for structures that last and connect us to something eternal.