Gezicht op Dresden aan de Elbe 1820 - 1896

Kasparus Karsen made this drawing of "Gezicht op Dresden aan de Elbe," now in the Rijksmuseum, using pen and brown ink with brush in grey. The muted sepia tones evoke a serene, almost melancholic atmosphere, emphasizing the vastness of the Elbe River against the delicate skyline of Dresden. The composition is structured around the horizontal expanse of the water, bisected by the distant city. Karsen's use of line is meticulous yet subdued, defining the architectural forms with precision, while the subtle washes of grey create depth and atmospheric perspective. Consider the way the artist uses the barest of means to suggest a complex urban landscape and expansive sky; through such minimalist execution, Karsen invites us to reflect on the act of seeing and the essence of representation itself. The drawing destabilizes the traditional landscape view, presenting a study in tonal values and spatial relationships over picturesque detail.