Het slot te Woerden 1717 - 1748

Abraham de Haen the Younger created this drawing of Het slot te Woerden with pen in brown and gray ink and brush in gray. The overall effect is one of restrained elegance, achieved through a masterful control of line and tone. Note how the composition is structured by a horizontal division, with the architecture and landscape above, and the water below, subtly mirroring the forms. The detailed rendering of the buildings contrasts with the looser treatment of the surrounding foliage, creating a dynamic interplay between precision and fluidity. This contrast animates the whole scene, keeping the eye moving across the surface. De Haen’s work presents a visual architecture that transcends the mere representation of a place. Instead, the drawing invites us to consider the dialogue between form and space. The drawing functions as an exploration of pictorial structure.