View of Huis te Rhoon, Seen from the South 1647

Roelant Roghman created this drawing of Huis te Rhoon from the south using pen and brush in gray ink, and it's now housed in the Rijksmuseum. The artwork is dominated by the architectural structure of the house itself, balanced on the right by a large tree and a small boat in the lower foreground, thus creating a sense of depth. Roghman's use of monochromatic gray ink flattens the scene, emphasizing the forms of the architecture and nature. The reflections in the water add texture to the scene. Considering structuralism and semiotics, the house could be seen as a signifier of stability and order, while the surrounding nature presents a contrasting element of fluidity and change. The interaction between these structural elements invites viewers to interpret the broader cultural values that Roghman's art encapsulates. The seemingly simple drawing thus opens up possibilities for discussing 17th century Dutch society.