Gezicht op het Diemermeerse tolhek 1762 - 1822

This is a small etching by Hermanus Petrus Schouten, titled "View of the Diemermeer Toll Gate". The structure of the image is built upon a delicate interplay of line and space. Schouten's use of etching allows for incredibly fine lines, which he uses to describe the scene with precision. Notice how the composition is divided into clear horizontal layers: the water, the bridge, the landscape, and the sky. This stratification gives the image a sense of depth and order, while the subtle gradations of tone create atmospheric perspective. The bridge itself acts as a central motif, arching gracefully across the composition, connecting the near and far spaces. In semiotic terms, the bridge is a symbol of connection, but it also represents division and control, given its function as a toll gate. The image thus presents a complex interplay of openness and restriction. The etching technique, with its emphasis on line and tone, invites us to consider the boundaries between representation and abstraction.