Tekening van het Aarstbisschoppelijk Seminarie te Driebergen c. 1860 - 1880

Abraham Adrianus Vermeulen rendered this drawing of the Archiepiscopal Seminary in Driebergen using pen and ink, likely sometime in the mid-19th century. The stark contrast between the precise architectural rendering and the dark, almost velvety background, is striking. Vermeulen's choice of monochrome ink emphasizes the building's form and volume, each carefully ruled line delineating the structure's classical symmetry. The drawing’s emphasis on meticulous detail and the geometric repetition of windows and architectural elements speaks to the value placed on precision and order during this period. We might also read it as symbolic of the Church's established authority and influence, portrayed with unassailable clarity. Consider how the drawing, a work of careful handcraft, contrasts with the industrial modes of production that were becoming increasingly prevalent. It serves as a reminder of the enduring power of traditional techniques to convey both information and symbolic meaning, challenging any strict separation between art, craft, and the wider world of labor and production.