Gevangen landschap in overdadig zonlicht 1976

Harrie A. Gerritz made this work on paper, "Gevangen landschap in overdadig zonlicht", which translates as "Captured Landscape in Abundant Sunlight". With a childlike simplicity, Gerritz presents us with a view of nature framed by a rudimentary structure. The 'captured landscape' is rendered in a muted green, hinting at themes of environmentalism or perhaps even a critique of humanity's relationship with the natural world. The Dutch have a long history of landscape art, but here that tradition is being questioned. The artist seems to ask whether we can truly 'own' a view or if we are just temporary observers. To understand Gerritz’s intent more fully, one could research the cultural attitudes towards nature in the Netherlands during his lifetime. Further insights may also come from examining the exhibition history of this work in the Rijksmuseum. We must acknowledge the social and institutional contexts that give meaning to this apparently simple image.