Straat met rijtjeshuizen c. 1888

Willem Koekkoek sketched this street with terraced houses using graphite on paper. The houses, each a variation on a theme, stand shoulder-to-shoulder, their windows like eyes staring out. The street itself is an ancient symbol, a pathway through life, a journey through time. It echoes in the colonnades of ancient Rome, designed for procession, yet here, it is domesticated, reduced to the scale of everyday life. Observe how the rooftops rhythmically rise and fall, like a musical score, or the waves of an ocean; this reflects a collective longing for order and rhythm. This isn't just architecture; it's an expression of communal living, a desire for belonging. The houses are interconnected through their similarity, like a family. The repetition can feel almost hypnotic, drawing the viewer into a state of contemplation. Even in its simplicity, the drawing captures a deep-seated human desire for connection. The street resurfaces in every age and place, evolving, yet still rooted in the basic human need for community.