Bomen aan een waterkant c. 1811

Andreas Schelfhout made this drawing, "Bomen aan een waterkant", using pen in grey ink, likely during the first half of the 19th century. As a Dutch Romantic painter, Schelfhout was working in a period defined by a renewed appreciation for the landscape and national identity. While seemingly apolitical, landscapes of this period often served as powerful symbols of cultural pride and, sometimes, veiled commentary on social issues. In this idyllic scene, the trees stand as silent witnesses, perhaps reflecting the resilient spirit of a nation navigating its own complex history. What isn't shown in the image is what makes it. The Netherlands was a colonial power that gained incredible wealth exploiting othered peoples from Africa and Asia. The idyllic scene on display here is in stark contrast to this. Schelfhout invites us to contemplate our relationship with nature. There's an emotional and personal dimension to this, as we're left wondering about our connection to the land, and our role in shaping it.