Perspectiefoefeningen 1787 - 1808

Jan Brandes created this drawing titled "Perspectiefoefeningen", or "Perspective Exercises", using pen and paper. At first glance, the network of lines may appear like an abstract construction, but it’s an attempt to master perspective. Look closely at how Brandes uses the linear structure to guide the viewer's eye through the composition. These lines create depth and volume, transforming a flat surface into an illusionistic space. The geometric shapes – the squares, circles, and curving forms – seem to float, connected only by this rigorous grid. Brandes isn't just showing us a space; he's revealing the underlying structure of how we perceive space. This approach aligns with structuralist ideas, where meaning is created through systems and relationships. The drawing exists as an exercise but also as an exploration of the very principles of representation. It invites us to consider how perspective itself is a constructed system, a set of rules that shape our understanding of the world.