Protestant-church Niks-Jochem

The drawing presents a scene dominated by a tall, pointed steeple rising above a flooded landscape. The composition is structured around this central architectural element, which commands attention through its height and verticality. A wooden structure, seemingly a small dock or platform, sits partially submerged in the water, reflecting the churchs spire and the surrounding buildings.
The artist has rendered the scene in grayscale, emphasizing tonal variations to suggest depth and texture. The water’s surface is depicted with agitated lines, conveying movement and a sense of instability. This watery expanse extends across much of the foreground, blurring the distinction between land and reflection. A wooden building stands on the right side of the composition, its vertical planks adding another layer of linear structure. A row of trees frames the left side of the view, their slender forms contrasting with the solidity of the church tower.
The presence of floodwater introduces a significant subtext. It suggests disruption and potential loss – the familiar landmarks are partially submerged, hinting at an altered reality or a moment of crisis. The stillness of the drawing contrasts with the implied chaos of the flooding; it’s as if the artist is observing this event with a detached, almost melancholic gaze.
The inclusion of what appears to be handwritten text in the lower left corner – N-Kirk Krommenie – provides contextual information without overtly directing interpretation. It anchors the scene within a specific location and invites consideration of local history or environmental factors that might have contributed to this inundation. The signature at the bottom right, “P. Niki 87,” identifies the artist and dates the work to 1987. This temporal marker further encourages reflection on how human perception and documentation intersect with natural events.

The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, prompting questions about resilience, adaptation, and the relationship between humanity and its environment.