Toren van het stadhuis te Veere 1868 - 1928

This is Jan Toorop’s drawing of the town hall tower in Veere, made with charcoal on paper. Toorop, born in Java, was of mixed heritage and navigated a complex identity in the art world, often drawing inspiration from diverse cultural sources. Here, he captures the imposing structure of the tower with an almost ethereal quality. The charcoal strokes give a sense of the atmosphere, as if the tower emerges from the very air around it. Veere itself was a town steeped in history, once a significant trading port. Toorop’s choice to depict this tower connects to themes of history, identity, and place. It invites us to consider how the places we inhabit shape our understanding of ourselves and our past. There is an emotional resonance in the stark simplicity of the work. The tower stands not just as a building, but as a symbol of resilience and memory.