Gezicht op het Gros-Horloge te Rouen 1837

This is an anonymous print of the Gros-Horloge in Rouen. Executed with fine lines, it presents a scene where architecture and human presence converge. The composition is structured by the arch of the clock tower, framing a distant view and creating a sense of depth. Notice how the buildings lean inward, guiding the eye towards the clock. This clock, with its ornate face, serves as the focal point, a symbol of time's relentless march. The artist employs hatching and cross-hatching to create tonal variations, giving volume to the stone structures and the figures below. The procession of people adds a layer of social context, suggesting the importance of the clock not just as a functional device but as a civic monument. The overall effect is a study in contrasts: the permanence of architecture against the fleeting nature of human activity. It reminds us that the meaning of any artwork is always under construction.