Gezicht op het hoofd van de Oudehaven te Rotterdam 1694 - 1695

Johannes de Vouw created this print of the Oudehaven in Rotterdam around the turn of the 18th century. The composition orchestrates architectural forms, maritime activity, and human figures into a cohesive urban landscape. Notice how de Vouw uses line and perspective to organize the scene. Buildings are rendered with geometric precision, their facades revealing a rational order. In contrast, the ships' masts create a network of vertical lines, animating the skyline and conveying a sense of bustling trade. Foreground figures are carefully positioned, drawing us into the pictorial space. The cannon smoke adds a dynamic element, breaking the rigidity of the architectural lines. This print reflects a shift towards a more empirical and observational approach. De Vouw sought to capture a specific moment in time. By combining architectural accuracy with lively human activity, the print serves as both a topographical record and a celebration of Rotterdam's commercial vibrancy. The artist invites us to contemplate the interplay between order and dynamism, representation and reality.