Album Page, Three Sketches of Building Details, Antwerp, August 17, 1887

Vertical sheet illustrating three masonry façades, clockwise from top left: View from the rear of a “crow’s step” or “trap gevel” masonry building façade. The façade has been reinforced vertically at the center with corbelling. Directly below this is a square opening from which projects out a square rod, ending in a curved or angled flange. Marked D (inscribed in circle) and noted as Anthwerp [sic]. Next is a view of the “crow’s step” or “trap gevel” masonry façade bearing a date marker plate that reads 1580. This is possibly the façade of the same building in the previous sketch, but at the opposite end. The façade has many steps creating a strong, triangular shape. A single string course separates the upper six steps from those below. Within this space is a square opening and what appears to be the face of a male figure in stone. Below the datemarker are three window openings, and possibly the decorative ends of tie rods. This sketch is noted as: E (inscribed in circle), Back (underlined), Antwerp / Aug 17th 1887. The final sketch is marked F (inscribed in circle) and noted as: Front (underlined). It is the view of another ‘trapgevel’ masonry façade, though much more ornamental with the addition of scroll work elements that end each of the three steps, in a fashion typical of Northern Dutch and Flemish cities. The top step projects high and is completed with a projecting cornice cap. Directly below this seems to be a symbol, a cross inscribed within a circle, possibly indicating a religious edifice. It is possible that sketches E and F are the opposite façades of this building, while sketch D is the back of the façade illustrated in sketch E.