Montelbaanstoren te Amsterdam 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this drawing of the Montelbaanstoren in Amsterdam using pen and ink on paper. Vreedenburgh's choice of materials and technique—pen and ink—is notable for its directness. Unlike the layered, painstaking processes of oil painting, ink drawings prioritize spontaneity. Look closely, and you can sense the quick, decisive movements of Vreedenburgh's hand, capturing the tower's architectural form with a mix of precision and gestural energy. The ink lines vary in weight and density, which suggests an immediacy in capturing the tower. The paper's texture also plays a role, interacting with the ink to create subtle variations in tone and texture, enlivening the surface of the drawing. The drawing speaks to a social context where rapid urbanization and industrialization were reshaping cities. Artists like Vreedenburgh documented these changes, but also remind us of the human labor involved in constructing and maintaining these urban landmarks. Appreciating the material qualities of this drawing allows us to see it not just as a representation of a building, but as an index of the artist's engagement with the built environment.