The Excise House in Alkmaar

In the 1650s Jacob van Ruisdael travelled around the Dutch-German border region, and also visited Alkmaar. This black chalk drawing is a souvenir of his journey. The artist has depicted the wooden bridge and the tower of the customs office from below in order to achieve a monumental effect. The steep roofs of the houses on the left and the sailing boats with their vertical and inclined masts remain subordinate in the background.