Rivierlandschap met pont bij oever 1803 - 1841

Here we see "River Landscape with a Ferry by the Shore," an etching by Johannes van Cuylenburgh. The composition is built around a cluster of forms on the left – a house, trees, and a ferry – balanced by the open expanse of water on the right. Cuylenburgh uses a dense network of etched lines to create texture and shadow, particularly noticeable in the foliage and the thatched roof of the house. This intricate detailing contrasts with the smoother areas representing the water and sky, creating a dynamic interplay between detail and simplicity. The structure of the etching invites us to consider how Cuylenburgh uses the medium to create depth and atmosphere. The precise lines define shapes, while the contrast between light and shadow models the forms to give them volume. It presents a world observed and meticulously constructed. The image, therefore, goes beyond mere representation, exploring the possibilities of the etching medium as a way of understanding and conveying spatial and material relationships.