Riviergezicht 1775

Bernhard Schreuder captured this view with pen and brush in grey and brown ink on paper. The composition is distinctly horizontal. The skyline sits low, emphasizing the breadth of the water and sky above. This spatial arrangement evokes a sense of openness and tranquility. The artist manipulates line and form to define the boats, their reflections, and the distant shoreline. Notice how the masts of the sailboats punctuate the sky, creating a visual rhythm that draws the eye across the scene. The muted palette reinforces the calm, almost melancholic mood, with subtle variations in tone suggesting depth and atmosphere. Schreuder’s approach can be seen as an exploration of space and perspective, reducing the landscape to its essential forms. The interplay between light, shadow, and the careful articulation of shapes transforms a simple scene into a study of visual structure, inviting us to reflect on the balance between representation and abstraction.