Het nieuwe stadhuis van Amsterdam, ca. 1655 1648 - 1689

Jacob van der Ulft rendered this drawing of the New Amsterdam City Hall around 1655 with pen and brown ink, capturing the imposing structure with a sepia wash. The symmetry is immediately striking; it’s as if the architecture itself embodies a drive for order and balance. The repetitive vertical lines of the columns and windows create a rhythm, a visual cadence that speaks to the structured nature of civic life. Look closely, and you'll notice how the contrasting values of light and shadow give the building a sense of depth and presence. Here, van der Ulft is not merely representing a building; he’s presenting an idea of Dutch society, its aspirations, and its values, encoded in stone and ink. This emphasis on order, clarity, and rationality reflects a broader cultural movement in the 17th century, where the burgeoning mercantile class sought to create a society governed by reason and law. This artwork is not just a static image; it is an ongoing dialogue between the past and our present understanding.