Oude mannenberg in het Haagse Bos 1818 - 1876

Editor: So, here we have "Oude mannenberg in het Haagse Bos," which translates to "Old Man's Mountain in the Hague Woods," attributed to Carel Christiaan Antony Last and dating sometime between 1818 and 1876. It’s a drawing using pen and pencil, and immediately I’m struck by how serene, almost storybook-like, it feels. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Oh, absolutely! It whispers tales of another time. For me, the immediate allure lies in how Last captures light within the density of the woods. The artist really conjures the feeling of being there, doesn’t it? Notice how light dances on the leaves and illuminates the figures nestled within this landscape, making them part of the world. Do you see how the depth of field is kind of compressed, almost as if to focus on those moments? Editor: I do, yes! It’s not as expansive as I would have expected for a landscape. Curator: Exactly! Perhaps he sought intimacy rather than grandeur. I can almost imagine the rustling of leaves and the soft murmur of conversation from the figures depicted. Do you feel like you can hear the sounds, too? Editor: Now that you mention it, yes! I'm curious, though, is there anything more to the symbolism here? I see people scattered throughout, some on horseback and some grouped together... Curator: Perhaps it reflects the era’s appreciation for nature as a refuge, a place for contemplation or perhaps social interaction... or maybe he simply enjoyed sketching what he observed. After all, sometimes the simple act of observation, rendered skillfully, can be enough, don’t you think? Editor: That’s true. It makes you appreciate the artist's world. I will walk away and try this, capturing my own garden! Curator: See? The ripple effect of a sketch from long ago... beautiful.