Het Huis te Harmelen 1744

Jan de Beijer created "Het Huis te Harmelen," using pen and gray ink on paper. The drawing presents a castle, viewed from across a moat, emphasizing the geometric solidity of the building against the organic forms of the surrounding trees. De Beijer masterfully uses hatching and cross-hatching to create depth and shadow, giving a sense of three-dimensionality to the flat surface. The contrast between the light sky and the darker building adds to the visual drama. The composition, built upon a clear structure of horizontal and vertical lines, reflects the period’s interest in order and perspective. Yet, there’s also an engagement with the picturesque – a bridge, figures in a boat and birds in the sky add an anecdotal quality, softening the rigidity of the architectural rendering. De Beijer uses the semiotic language of architectural drawing to convey the status and solidity of the building while subtly incorporating elements of nature and human activity. Ultimately, this drawing serves not only as a record of a place but also as a study in form and composition.