Landschap met ruïne 1602 - 1649

Simon Poelenburg created this drawing, "Landscape with Ruin," using pen in the early 17th century. The composition is divided into distinct zones, each marked by varying densities of line work, which provide depth to the landscape. Note how the artist arranges the elements: a gnarled tree and seated figure on the left, drawing our eye across the open field, detailed with clusters of trees, to the stark ruins on the right. This careful arrangement invites a reading of symbolic contrasts. The ruin, meticulously rendered, serves as more than just a structure; it’s a signifier of decay, standing in stark contrast to the vitality of the natural elements. The strategic use of hatching and cross-hatching not only defines form but also evokes a sense of texture. Consider the subtle gradation of tone from foreground to background. This technique suggests an atmospheric perspective that pulls the viewer into the scene.