Huis aan het water 1881 - 1927

Johan Antonie de Jonge created this sketch, "Huis aan het water", with black chalk, during a time when the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes. De Jonge, born in Rotterdam, captures a waterside house. The composition is dominated by heavy, dark strokes that evoke a sense of melancholy. The house, a traditional symbol of stability, is presented in a state of quiet disarray, which might be seen as reflective of the period’s shifting societal structures. The almost monochromatic palette and the roughness of the chalk work, create a sense of immediacy. De Jonge’s choice to focus on such a mundane scene invites us to consider the beauty in everyday life, but also the often overlooked struggles of those who inhabit these spaces. De Jonge lived through world war one, and this sketch may offer a commentary on the human condition, emphasizing themes of resilience, and the search for beauty amidst the ordinary.