Bosgezicht c. 1901 - 1927

Johan Antonie de Jonge created this evocative landscape sketch, titled 'Bosgezicht', using charcoal on paper. The immediate impression is one of dense verticality, created by the strong, dark lines of the trees which dominate the composition. Notice how the charcoal is applied with varying pressure, creating a range of tones that suggest both depth and texture. The lighter areas hint at a distant horizon and filtered light, creating an atmospheric contrast with the solid tree trunks. De Jonge seems less interested in representing a literal forest scene than in exploring the formal properties of line and tone. This approach aligns with the artistic movements of his time, where artists were increasingly focused on the intrinsic qualities of their medium. The sketch almost functions as a study in contrasts: light and dark, solid and void, detailed foreground, and suggestive background. Consider how this emphasis on form invites us to contemplate the nature of representation itself. Does it reflect a move away from traditional landscape painting toward a more abstract, subjective mode of expression?