Huizen te Nijmegen 1892 - 1897

Willem Cornelis Rip made this pencil drawing, titled 'Huizen te Nijmegen', which translates to 'Houses in Nijmegen.' Rip lived during a time of significant social and political change in the Netherlands, including the rise of industrialization and urbanization. This drawing offers a glimpse into the artist’s personal connection to the urban landscape. Rip seems to be grappling with how the rapid changes to the landscape affect one's sense of place and identity. The loose and undefined strokes used, provide an immediacy to the work as if capturing a fleeting moment in time. Rip was deeply invested in capturing the essence of Dutch life and landscape in his work. The drawing seems to offer a sense of longing for a simpler way of life. Rip here asks us to consider the impact of progress on our collective memory and cultural identity.