Gezicht op de vestingwerken bij Nijmegen aan de Waal 1700 - 1715

Curator: What a remarkable piece! This watercolor and coloured pencil work, titled "Gezicht op de vestingwerken bij Nijmegen aan de Waal," offers a glimpse into the fortifications near Nijmegen. It’s attributed to Martinus Berkenboom and dates back to between 1700 and 1715. Editor: It has a serene quality. The cool tones of the water and sky are calming, almost belying the military subject matter implied by the fortifications. I’m struck by the precise lines and how they define the architectural forms against the soft watercolor washes. Curator: Absolutely. Berkenboom’s mastery over watercolor as a medium is striking. The ways he's rendered those fortifications – the interplay of the ramparts and earthworks – it tells a story of the labour, the sheer physical effort of building and maintaining such extensive defensive structures. These weren’t simply strategic designs; they represented massive investments of human capital. Editor: Agreed. And the perspectival rendering directs the eye deep into the composition; note the tonal gradations as one reads from the foreground boats to the distant cityscape. Curator: It's fascinating to think about the socio-economic impact. Who were the labourers who built these fortresses? What was the impact on the regional economy? I see this less as a landscape and more as a record of early modern statecraft and social organization, a visual record that offers insights into power dynamics through production. Editor: I appreciate your insights, however, one can’t ignore how that play of light defines forms—the texture of the water, the shapes of the clouds, the architectural structure of the city… Berkenboom creates depth, guiding your eye across the visual field. The subtle use of color is really something special here. Curator: A truly great contribution to early cityscape art with much to say. Thank you for taking the time to examine and discuss. Editor: Indeed! I concur. It was a pleasure.