Aanval op Kattenburg 1787 - 1789

Cornelis Jacob de Huyser created this print of the ‘Attack on Kattenburg’ using etching, a technique that captures fine, precise lines. Notice how the composition is structured around a central bridge, drawing our eyes into the heart of the conflict. The buildings on the left provide a sense of architectural stability, which is starkly contrasted by the dynamic movement of the figures clashing on the bridge. De Huyser uses the technique of hatching to create depth, modelling the cloud formations with the same attention to detail as the figures in the foreground. The scene is not just a depiction of an event, but also a study in contrasts, with the linear precision and tonal variations. The stark differences between light and shadow enhance the dramatic tension, drawing the viewer into a world where every line and shadow tell a story of conflict and contest.