Sloop van de verzakte Muiderpoort, gezien vanaf de Plantage, 1769 1769

Jan Schouten created this etching in 1769, showing the demolition of the Muiderpoort from the Plantage. At first glance, the composition is divided into three horizontal layers: the wintry scene with the demolition of the Muiderpoort, the gathering of people in the foreground, and the skeletal trees framing the scene. The architectural forms of the gate, bridge, and nearby buildings create a sense of depth, which is reinforced by the figures that are closest to us. Schouten employs line and form not just to represent space, but to convey a story about time and change. Notice how the sharp, precise lines define the buildings, while softer, feathered strokes are used for the sky and trees. The etching becomes a site where the old and the new intersect, challenging our notions of progress and preservation. This play of light and shadow, combined with the structural elements, invites us to consider the complex interplay of tradition and modernity.