Wenteltrap in het Westfries Museum te Hoorn before 1897

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp made this drawing of a spiral staircase in the Westfries Museum using pen and ink. The linear quality of the medium lends itself well to the depiction of the staircase’s wooden construction. Notice how each plank is carefully delineated, the parallel lines emphasizing the grain of the wood. The artist's hand meticulously renders the texture and form of the material. You can imagine him working with his pen, carefully building up the image line by line. The choice of pen and ink is significant; it is a direct, unmediated medium that emphasizes the artist's skill and control. The starkness of the black lines against the white paper creates a sense of clarity and precision. The medium also speaks to the history of drawing as a fundamental skill for architects and designers. In appreciating this drawing, we recognize the significance of both the materials and the hand of the artist in bringing the scene to life. It is a reminder that even the simplest of materials can be used to create a work of great beauty and complexity.