Stadsgezichten aan het water en een brug c. 1780 - 1800

Barend Hendrik Thier created this wash drawing called 'Cityscapes on the Water and a Bridge.' The work presents a series of aquatic scenes, rendered in delicate grey washes that evoke a sense of calm and contemplative observation. Thier divides the composition into three distinct registers, each capturing a different aspect of the waterways and bridges. In each register, lines define the basic structures: bridges, waterways, windmills, and the architectural silhouettes of buildings. The buildings act as semiotic markers, signaling a turn towards structuralism, where simple artistic elements form a network of cultural meaning. The neutral tones and the atmospheric perspective diminish the sense of depth. By employing a limited palette, Thier invites us to focus on the structure of each cityscape. Ultimately, the lack of vibrant color underscores the drawing’s formal emphasis. The visual and intellectual interplay between observation and symbolic representation allows a glimpse into the cultural and environmental contexts.