View of the Valkhof in Nijmegen c. 1645 - 1650

Frans de Hulst painted this view of the Valkhof in Nijmegen using oil on a wood support in the 17th century. The composition immediately strikes you with its layered arrangement. De Hulst’s subdued palette contributes to the sense of solemnity. Notice the complex arrangement of horizontal and vertical lines, which structure the depiction of the buildings and the waterway. The strong verticality of the tower is counterbalanced by the broad horizontal expanse of the river. De Hulst employs the formal structure to explore relationships between nature and civilization, the transient and the permanent. The light, filtered through the clouds, casts long shadows, emphasizing the geometry of the architecture. The painting thus exists not just as a representation of a place, but also as an exploration into the interplay between form and perception. This artwork encourages us to look beyond the subject matter and consider how the intrinsic structure reflects broader cultural and philosophical ideas.