Gezicht op de gevel van de Stads teekenschool in Haarlem before 1894

This architectural study, titled "Gezicht op de gevel van de Stads teekenschool in Haarlem," presents a monochromatic, detailed view of the Haarlem drawing school's façade. The use of line and form dominates our perception, emphasizing the geometric relationships and structured ornamentation of the building. The alternating light and dark bands create a rhythmic visual texture, drawing the eye upward. The composition is rigidly organized, focusing on the symmetrical arrangement of windows and decorative elements. This formal symmetry is not merely aesthetic; it reflects deeper values of order and reason, characteristic of architectural representation. It also invites us to consider the semiotic function of architecture. Each element—window, cornice, and gable—functions as a sign, communicating ideas about civic pride, artistic education, and historical continuity. The architect plays with the tension between surface and depth, flatness and volume. This reflects a broader concern with how we perceive space and construct meaning through visual representation.