Notes on Architectural Perspective., 1700-01-01

Unknown artist

1700-01-01

photo, print, drawing

Library of Congress

A page of handwritten text and architectural sketches, possibly related to perspective drawing. The sketches depict simple building outlines and geometric shapes. These elementary architectural sketches with extensive notes are from a set of 27 drawings on 15 sheets that was discovered in the National Library of South Africa in 1986. The drawings are important for presenting the earliest realistic depictions of the Khoikhoi people, the original inhabitants of the Western Cape. The artist most likely was a Dutchman, born in the 17th century, who was attached in some capacity to the Dutch East India Company and possibly en route to the Dutch East Indies or on his way back to the Netherlands when he visited the Cape. Evidence suggests that the drawings were made no later than 1713, and possibly