Author: after Cornelis van Noorde (1731-1795) (?)
Title: [Antique drawing] The Orphanage in Haarlem (Weeshuis Haarlem). ca. 1768.
Description: There are at least seven known drawing by Cornelis van Noorde depicting the former Orphanage in Haarlem. The institute was dismantled in 1768 and locally replaced by the so-called Hofje van Oorschot, built from the year after. One drawing is in Russia at the Pushkin museum (inv. 7766) and other six drawings by van Noorde at the the Noord-Hollands Archief in Haarlem with the same corner of the city represented. All the drawings in public collections appear to be much detailed and proportioned in respect to the drawing in our collection. The dog-shaped wind banderole on the top of the building on the left has lost its original shape and is here indistinguishable. The portal of the church is different, the lantern is shorter, and even the buildings in the far right background look much smaller. This might therefore be a late copy after one of the other drawings. Many details would have become clearer if the author of the drawing could draw after reality. Nevertheless, this is a quite charming proof from the late eighteenth- or beginning of the nineteenth century.The 'Heilige Geesthuis' or City orphanage, on the Krocht in Haarlem before it was to be dismantled, currently the location of the Hofje van Oorschot. Drawing in pencil, pen and black and gray ink, with gray wash; total: 295 x 314 mm; in very good condition.

Keywords: Drawings|Haarlem|technical|Topography & Travel