Stenen boog 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this work, "Stenen boog" which translates to "Stone Arch", as a sketch, with no date specified. Dijsselhof was a Dutch designer, print maker, painter, and art critic during the rise of feminist discourse and the height of imperialism in Europe. This sketch gives us a glimpse into the role of architecture in shaping our perceptions of power, and our assumptions of permanence. Note the clean, yet wavering lines that capture the weight and texture of stone. These lines betray a sense of uncertainty; they make us question the power of such structures. This sketch might be read as a challenge to the stone arch, a symbol of strength that has often reinforced hierarchical power structures. As we consider Dijsselhof’s "Stenen boog", let’s consider the identities and histories shaped by and in opposition to these structures. It is in these complex relationships where art finds its most profound meaning.