Façade van een gebouw met een trapgevel 1866 - 1868

This is Isaac Gosschalk's sketch of a building facade with a stepped gable, likely created in the late 19th century. Executed with graphite on paper, its architectural precision offers a glimpse into Gosschalk's formalist approach. The composition is divided, with meticulous details of the façade on one side and structural plans on the other. Notice how the precise linework delineates architectural components. Windows, staircases and decorative elements become studies in form and function. The texture is created through hatching and cross-hatching to describe depth and shadow, adding a tactile dimension to the flat surface. Gosschalk’s sketch, though technical, invites us to consider the semiotics of architectural representation, where lines and angles serve as signs of structure, space and societal intention. This drawing isn't just a depiction; it's a system of coded information, reflecting an era's values of order and representation through architectural form.