Het kasteel Mooyland 1733 - 1784

Hendrik Spilman made this drawing of the Mooyland castle using pen and brush with gray ink in 1757. Spilman’s choice of monochrome is interesting. It emphasizes the stark architectural forms, reducing the castle to its basic structure. Note how he uses delicate lines and shading to define the volumes and textures of the stone and water. Consider also what he is not doing. Unlike an oil painting with vibrant colors, or even a watercolor, Spilman forgoes any illusion of lifelike naturalism. The drawing is deliberately muted, inviting us to focus on the underlying geometry of the castle itself. The artist’s focus on precision suggests that the act of drawing was perhaps more about documentation and technical skill, and less about self-expression. This work demonstrates how even seemingly straightforward depictions of architecture are shaped by artistic choices, and how these choices can influence our understanding of history and place.