Gezicht op een straat in de sneeuw 1902 - 1903

Albert Gottheil made this drawing of a snow-covered street using graphite, capturing a monochromatic scene that skillfully balances light and shadow. The composition is structured by the stark verticality of buildings juxtaposed against the soft curves of snow-laden objects. Notice how Gottheil uses varying densities of graphite to create depth and texture, giving a palpable sense of the cold, damp atmosphere of a winter day. The bare tree in the center acts as a crucial semiotic marker, its branches reaching skyward, contrasting with the horizontal drift of the snow. This interplay of line and form directs the viewer's eye, establishing a visual rhythm across the scene. Consider the overall structure of the drawing. Gottheil masterfully orchestrates our perception by using the contrast between the sharply defined architectural elements and the blurred, softened details of the snow. This contrast destabilizes our understanding of space, inviting us to reflect on the transient and ephemeral nature of perception itself.