Forest landscape 20 - 1920

Hans Thoma made this Forest Landscape using pen and brush in brown ink on paper. The composition is anchored by two clusters of trees that frame a central clearing, giving the viewer an ordered entry into the scene. The intricate lines and shading, achieved with diluted brown ink, create depth and texture. Thoma’s use of cross-hatching and stippling animate the foliage, while open spaces suggest the hazy atmosphere. The horizon line is softened, blurring the distinction between earth and sky. Thoma's marks are like linguistic signs that construct a coherent and legible landscape. The structural clarity, combined with the atmospheric perspective, is an interplay between the material qualities of ink and the conceptual depth of field. This work offers a meditation on how the act of drawing itself can constitute a profound engagement with nature.