Reproductie van een tekening van de kermis in Oud-Antwerpen op de Wereldtentoonstelling van 1894 in Antwerpen, door Frans van Kuyck Possibly 1894 - 1895

This drawing reproduces Frans van Kuyck’s depiction of the fair in Old Antwerp at the 1894 World Exhibition. Notice how the monochromatic rendering emphasizes line and form to create a lively, bustling scene. The artist uses a high vantage point, compressing the foreground and background, which intensifies the feeling of a crowded event. Banners and figures intersect to create a complex network of shapes and contrasts which guide the eye through the scene. Van Kuyck is using a semiotic system to recreate a historical event. Consider how the architectural details and costumes aim to construct a specific sense of time and place. The drawing presents a scene, but it also functions as a symbolic representation of cultural memory. The emphasis on line and detail suggests an effort to capture not just the appearance of the fair, but also its atmosphere and cultural significance. It acts as a signifier, prompting viewers to reflect on the historical and cultural narratives that it represents.