Gezicht op gebouwen aan het water c. 1828 - 1897

This graphite sketch on paper, "Gezicht op gebouwen aan het water" or "View of Buildings on the Water," was created by Adrianus Eversen, an artist who lived and worked in the Netherlands during the 19th century. Eversen was known for his cityscapes, capturing the architecture and atmosphere of Dutch towns, but here we see the barest of impressions. Eversen leaves the social life of the city behind, instead using the lightest of touches to focus on form. The sketch reveals the basic structure of buildings along a canal, focusing on geometric shapes and lines. During the 19th century, there was a growing sense of national identity in the Netherlands and cityscapes that captured daily life became popular. Eversen's work invites us to consider the relationship between identity, architecture, and the everyday experience of urban life. This sketch invites us to reflect on the foundational aspects of urban identity.