Koppelpoort te Amersfoort 1849 - 1895

Willem Koekkoek made this pencil sketch of the Koppelpoort in Amersfoort sometime in the 19th century, on a page of his sketchbook. The immediacy of the graphite on paper conveys the sensation of capturing a scene on the move. Notice the rapidly drawn lines – the texture of the paper is allowed to show through, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. While we may think of drawing as a quick and easy medium, the artist's skilled hand and eye are crucial. The labor is in the observation and translation of three dimensions into two. The choice of subject – a historic city gate – speaks to the artist's interest in preserving a record of the past. In this way, a relatively simple sketch becomes a valuable cultural artifact, imbued with the artist’s vision and the spirit of its time. This sketch allows us to explore a world of art historical analysis, and making processes.