Stenen brug en houten brug 1613

This is "Stenen brug en houten brug" by Claes Jansz. Visscher, made sometime in the early to mid-17th century. Notice how the composition is split between two types of bridges, stone, and wood. The rough texture of the stone bridge gives it a sense of permanence, contrasting with the delicate, almost fragile, wooden bridge. The artist uses detailed line work to create depth and texture, and to guide your eye through the scene. The formal structure here draws on the cultural codes of the time, reflecting an interest in nature and the integration of human structures within it. Consider how Visscher used the reflections in the water not just as a visual effect, but as a way to question what is real versus what is merely a representation. This visual mirroring challenges fixed meanings and invites us to ponder the relationship between reality and illusion.