Bolwerk Starrenburg in Utrecht Possibly 1765 - 1843

Editor: So, this is "Bolwerk Starrenburg in Utrecht," a drawing by Cornelis van Hardenbergh, probably created sometime between 1765 and 1843. It's currently housed in the Rijksmuseum. It has a tranquil quality to it, despite the hint of an urban landscape. The soft pencil strokes give it a dreamy, almost nostalgic feel. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It whispers to me of simpler times. It evokes the quiet contentment of 18th-century life. Look closely at how Hardenbergh captured the light – the way it dapples through the trees, highlighting the figures along the path. Can you see how he directs your eye through the composition with the careful placement of these lighter tones, leading you from the foreground towards the background, from shadow to light? The buildings have this charming crookedness to them, don’t they? Editor: Yes, I noticed that! It's like the buildings themselves are exhaling with age. Do you think the tilt has some symbolic value, like showing the transient nature of life? Curator: Possibly! Or maybe he just had a charmingly wonky perspective! I often think it's so crucial we accept and welcome the flaws. What I love is how the seemingly mundane becomes infused with poetic beauty. He transforms this small slice of Utrecht into a truly captivating scene. And for what is poetry if not art distilled and potent? Editor: I never really thought about Realism containing poetry but that actually does capture the magic here. Thanks for pointing that out. I see it completely differently now. Curator: It’s all about opening your mind to the subtle ways art speaks to us, isn't it? I myself will try harder to notice little charming wonky parts of this world around us!