Rijtuigen op het Buitenhof c. 1890 - 1891

Willem de Zwart created this etching, “Rijtuigen op het Buitenhof”, capturing a street scene with carriages. The composition, rendered almost entirely in monochromatic tones, uses a dense network of etched lines to define form and space. These lines vary in thickness and density, creating areas of both stark contrast and subtle gradation, drawing the eye across the scene. The architecture and figures are built with a clear structural intention and a sense of depth, giving the scene a structured, almost stage-like presence. The repetitive lines and hatched textures throughout the composition not only depict physical details but also evoke a sense of movement. The formal organization of the piece allows us to see the scene as a constructed reality, not merely a slice of life, pointing to the artist's engagement with the semiotic function of urban space. Consider how the artist uses the inherent qualities of etching to not only represent a scene but also construct a visual language about societal structures.