Studieblad met gebouwen c. 1828 - 1897

This page of architectural studies was drawn by the Dutch artist Adrianus Eversen, probably in the mid-19th century. It’s a compilation of sketches of buildings – perhaps churches, houses, or public buildings, all rendered in a precise but informal style. We know that the 19th century was a time of intense urban and institutional development in the Netherlands, as in other parts of Europe. Artists played a key role in representing and shaping the image of the new urban landscape. Eversen trained at the academy in the Hague, which would have given him a strong foundation in drawing and perspective. Architectural drawing like this was often a state-sponsored activity: institutions used such drawings to visualize the ideal forms of civic and religious life. Historical research into the archives of Dutch art academies can help us to understand the precise purpose of sketches like this. The meaning of art is always contingent on social and institutional context.