Uitzicht uit een raam te Londen 1858

Gerrit Postma created this pencil drawing titled 'View from a window in London', but we don't know exactly when. We can see it as a statement about urban change. The view shows a contrast between traditional church spires and the looming presence of an industrial chimney. Made in the 19th century, it reflects the profound social and economic transformations of the Industrial Revolution. London was then the heart of a global empire and a hub for innovation. Postma, a Dutch artist, may have been captivated or perhaps unsettled by the city's rapid industrialization. He presents London from a detached perspective, observing the changing skyline from within the confines of a room. Is he commenting on the separation of modern life? Understanding the drawing requires historical research into the urban development of London and the history of its institutions. Postma gives us a glimpse into a society grappling with modernity.