Bomen aan de kant van de weg c. 1635 - 1692

Willem de Heusch created this etching, “Bomen aan de kant van de weg” or “Trees by the roadside”, sometime in the 17th century. De Heusch lived and worked during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of great wealth and cultural achievement for the Dutch Republic. The image offers a view of the natural landscape, and depicts a simple scene of trees alongside a road or path. This work reflects a growing interest in landscape as a subject in its own right, capturing a connection with the local land. We can see a movement away from traditional, idealized landscapes towards a more direct engagement with the natural world. De Heusch emphasizes the textures and forms of the trees, their branches reaching out across the scene. The contrast between light and shadow adds depth, inviting us to wander into the scene. Consider how this landscape shapes the way we perceive our environment, and how such images might reflect a changing relationship with the land and its resources.