Gezicht op een straat, mogelijk in Zeeland Possibly 1861

Cornelis Springer made this pencil drawing of a street, possibly in Zeeland. Springer was a Dutch artist known for his architectural paintings, often romanticized views of Dutch cities. Born in a time of significant social change, as the Netherlands moved towards modernization, Springer captured the country’s urban landscapes. Yet in this quick sketch, you can almost feel the brisk sea air characteristic of Zeeland. How did the environment influence the lives of people living there? What were their identities, their stories? With his focus on architecture, Springer’s work invites questions about urban development, community, and the relationship between people and their environment. What do you see in this urban landscape that speaks to a specific sense of place?