Perspectiefstudie 1752 - 1819

This is Jurriaan Andriessen’s "Perspectiefstudie," made with pen and grey ink on paper. A series of lines intersect and converge across the page, demonstrating a geometric dance of form. Above, a rectangular prism rises, its lines softly converging towards a horizon line. The artist employs a rigorous system of perspective, a tool of the Enlightenment, yet the hand-drawn quality introduces a sense of human fallibility. Below, a plan and elevation offer different views of the same geometric figure. Each line, each vanishing point, is a testament to the rational ordering of space, a theme of eighteenth-century thought. Consider how Andriessen uses a semiotic system of signs. The lines, points, and annotations serve as codes to unlock the illusion of three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. The drawing is not just a depiction, but a demonstration of the principles that govern visual representation, offering a glimpse into the intellectual project of its time.