Gezicht op de Speeltoren van de Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk te Edam before 1897

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp captured this view of the Speeltoren of the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk in Edam with graphite on paper. This drawing employs accessible materials, yet it reflects a deliberate artistic choice. The soft, grey hues of the graphite lend a delicate and atmospheric quality to the scene, emphasizing the tower's height and the intricate textures of the surrounding architecture. The visible strokes reveal the artist’s hand and their movements across the page, which shows the degree of control and skill involved in rendering this scene. Nieuwenkamp uses the graphic qualities to define the forms and spaces. The drawing's social significance lies in its depiction of everyday life and local architecture, presented through accessible materials. Ultimately, the materials, process, and the attention to detail in the drawing of the Speeltoren underscore the beauty and complexity of Nieuwenkamp's artistic vision, blurring boundaries between fine art and everyday observation.