Gezicht op Schoonhoven 1653 - 1693

This sepia drawing of "Gezicht op Schoonhoven," was created by Johannes Leupenius in the late 17th century. It's a delicate landscape in brown ink, capturing the Dutch town from across the Lek river. Notice how the composition is structured by horizontals: the riverbank in the foreground, the river, and the town's skyline create a layered effect. Leupenius balances the weight of the large tree on the left with the detailed rendering of the town on the right. The use of line is particularly interesting. Thin, precise lines define the architecture, while looser, more expressive strokes describe the foliage and clouds. The drawing operates on a semiotic level, evoking ideas of Dutch identity and prosperity through its depiction of the landscape and its manipulation of light and shadow. The subtlety and restraint in this drawing invite us to contemplate the quiet beauty of the Dutch landscape.