Juli 1754 - 1820

Hermanus Numan created "Juli," a drawing at an unknown date, now housed in the Rijksmuseum. The monochrome work presents a serene landscape with a rustic cart, figures, and distant buildings. The composition is structured around a central, horizontal axis, creating a sense of balance and calm. Numan uses line and subtle tonal variations to define forms and space. Notice how the lines create a textured surface which invites close visual inspection, drawing us into a contemplative viewing experience. The scene echoes the structuralist approach to art by presenting a world ordered through signs and symbols. The landscape isn't just a pretty scene, but a structured environment where the artist uses lines, forms and composition to communicate ideas about rural life. The balance and clarity of the drawing invites reflection on the world we see, suggesting how art can serve as a mirror reflecting underlying structures of existence.