Façade of town hall.

Drawing, pen and brown ink, grey and black wash, 31,3 x 36,9 cm, laid paper with watermark (coat of arms), unsigned (vert. and hor. folding lines, heavy dampstaining throughout, edges strengthened on verso, old glue marks on verso, large tear at left edge, sm. repaired tear at left edge).

Stuck by upper corners under passe-partout, under wooden frame.

Exquisite architectural drawing representing a classicist or Renaissance town hall consisting of three storeys and a central bell tower. The façade is horizontaly divided into fifteen bays with alternating window types: Serliana, triangular and segmental pediments (inspired by Michelangelo and Sansovino). Given the large amount of detail and coloured wash, the drawing probably functioned as a presentation drawing. Additionally the drawing also includes a scale at the lower margin divided into units of 10. The general lay-out of the building recalls that of the Maastricht town hall, designed by Pieter Post. Also the drawing style, is reminiscent to that of architectural drawing practice during the Dutch Republic.
Ref. E. Gerritsen, "Zeventiende-eeuwse architectuurtekeningen: de tekening in de ontwerp- en bouwpraktijk in de Nederlandse Republiek", Zwolle 2006.