Landschap met bomen in Ewijkshoeve c. 1886 - 1908

Willem Witsen made this print of trees in Ewijkshoeve, in the Netherlands, sometime between 1880 and 1923, using etching. It shows us the forest in winter. The late nineteenth century was an important period for the institutionalisation of art in the Netherlands. Artists' societies became more common, and the art market opened up. It also became more common for artists to depict the landscape around them, and this print is a great example of that. The bare trees and patches of snow show an intimate familiarity with the local environment. The print shows a dark forest in rich detail. One wonders, was this work made for a wealthy patron, or was it supposed to be accessible to a wider public? Research into the artist's connections to various art societies, like the Amsterdam etching club, might give us clues. More archival information on the art market in Amsterdam at this time could also shed more light on Witsen's intentions.