"Silhouette Oostergasfabriek" is a black and white woodcut print created by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita, a Dutch graphic artist and teacher. The artwork was made in 1917 and is part of the artist's series of prints depicting industrial landscapes. The print measures 24.5 x 32.5 cm and is currently held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The artwork depicts the Oostergasfabriek, a gas factory located in the eastern part of Amsterdam. The factory is shown in silhouette, with its tall chimneys and large gas holders dominating the composition. The factory buildings are rendered in stark black, contrasting sharply with the white background. The sky above the factory is filled with smoke, suggesting the pollution caused by the industrial processes. The smoke is depicted in a stylized manner, with swirling patterns that add a decorative element to the composition. The ground below the factory is also rendered in black, creating a strong horizontal line that anchors the composition. The artwork does not include any human figures, focusing instead on the imposing presence of the factory. The style of the artwork is characterized by its simplicity and boldness, with the artist using strong lines and contrasting tones to create a dramatic image. The artwork reflects the artist's interest in the industrial landscape of Amsterdam, as well as his ability to transform everyday scenes into striking visual compositions. Despite its simplicity, the artwork conveys a sense of the monumental scale and power of the industrial age.
The art technique used in creating the artwork "Silhouette Oostergasfabriek" by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita is known as silhouette art. This technique involves creating an image using only the outline of the subject. The subject is usually depicted in black against a lighter background, creating a stark contrast that emphasizes the shape and form of the subject. In "Silhouette Oostergasfabriek", de Mesquita uses this technique to depict the Oostergasfabriek, a gas factory in Amsterdam. The factory is shown in black against a lighter sky, its distinctive shape clearly outlined. The silhouette technique allows de Mesquita to focus on the factory's form and structure, rather than its details or colors. This technique is characteristic of de Mesquita's work. He often used silhouettes to depict buildings, animals, and people, focusing on their shapes and forms rather than their details. This approach allowed him to create striking, memorable images that capture the essence of his subjects. De Mesquita's use of the silhouette technique in "Silhouette Oostergasfabriek" and his other works demonstrates his ability to use simple shapes and contrasts to create powerful, evocative images.
Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita was a Dutch graphic artist and teacher who lived and worked during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His work, including the piece "Silhouette Oostergasfabriek," is significant for its unique style and the historical context in which it was created. The Oostergasfabriek was a gas factory located in Amsterdam, the city where de Mesquita lived and worked. This factory was a symbol of the industrial revolution that was taking place during this time, a period of rapid technological advancement and urban growth. De Mesquita's depiction of the factory as a silhouette against a stark, empty sky captures the stark contrast between the old and the new, the natural and the man-made. This was a time of great change, and de Mesquita's work reflects the tension and excitement of this era. However, de Mesquita's life and career were cut short by the rise of Nazism in Europe. He was Jewish, and in 1944 he and his wife were deported to Auschwitz, where they were killed. His work, therefore, also serves as a poignant reminder of the cultural and human loss caused by the Holocaust. Despite the tragic end to his life, de Mesquita's work continues to be celebrated for its unique style and its reflection of a pivotal time in history. His depiction of the Oostergasfabriek is a powerful example of his ability to capture the spirit of his time and place, and it remains a significant piece of Dutch art history.
Silhouette Oostergasfabriek by Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita is a remarkable piece of art that showcases the artist's unique style and technique. The artwork is a silhouette of the Oostergasfabriek, a gas factory in Amsterdam, and it is a testament to the industrial revolution and the changes it brought to the city. The artist has used a simple yet effective technique to create a striking image of the factory. The silhouette is created using black ink on a white background, creating a stark contrast that highlights the factory's imposing structure. The artist has also used a minimalistic approach, focusing on the factory's outline rather than its details. This gives the artwork a sense of mystery and intrigue, inviting viewers to imagine what the factory might look like in detail. The artwork also reflects the artist's fascination with industrial structures and their impact on the urban landscape. The factory, with its towering chimneys and complex structure, dominates the artwork, symbolizing the industrial revolution's dominance over the city. The artwork also reflects the artist's ability to capture the essence of a subject using simple techniques. Despite the lack of detail, the artwork effectively conveys the factory's imposing presence and the changes it brought to the city. The artwork is a testament to the artist's skill and creativity, and it remains a significant piece in his body of work. The Silhouette Oostergasfabriek is not just a depiction of a factory, but a reflection of a time of great change and progress. It is a piece of art that continues to captivate viewers with its simplicity and depth.
