Gezicht op de Kipdorppoort in Oud-Antwerpen op de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1894 in Antwerpen Possibly 1894 - 1895

This unsigned work presents a view of the Kipdorppoort in Old Antwerp, displayed at the 1894 World Exhibition in Antwerp. Rendered in monochrome, the artwork’s composition is built upon a dense network of lines and shapes that meticulously define the architectural details of the gate and its surrounding structures. The anonymous artist uses hatching and cross-hatching to model form, which creates a visual rhythm across the surface. The Kipdorppoort, with its intricate façade, embodies a sense of historical depth, a semiotic symbol of Antwerp's rich past presented within the spectacle of a world exhibition. This juxtaposition invites contemplation on how history is framed and consumed within the context of modernity and global exchange. Notice how the ordered lines and tonal variations, while descriptive, also serve to flatten the image. This tension between representation and abstraction invites us to consider the artwork not just as a depiction but as a constructed image, reflecting on the processes of memory, representation, and the act of viewing itself.