Amsterdamse grachtenhuizen aan de Herengracht 442, 446 en 448 1696 - 1706

This drawing presents three houses on the Herengracht in Amsterdam, rendered with precise lines and subtle washes. Each facade offers a unique expression of architectural order and social identity. The central house commands attention through its symmetrical arrangement of windows, balanced by a detailed portico and decorative sculptures on the roofline, suggesting a formal and public-facing role. Flanking it, the houses on either side present contrasting rhythms of fenestration, with one featuring a more intricate pattern of vertical and horizontal elements, while the other simplifies the facade into a play of horizontals. The subdued palette emphasizes form, and the subtle shadows convey volume without disrupting the flat, graphic quality of the representation. This approach invites us to consider how architectural elements like windows and entrances act as signifiers, communicating status and aesthetic preferences. The drawing serves not only as a record of the city’s built environment, but also as a study of its socio-architectural language.