Reizigers in een rivierlandschap c. 1745 - 1785

Anthonij van der Haer created this river landscape print of 148 by 213 mm using etching techniques. The composition uses a low horizon line that emphasizes the sky and the horizontal expanse of the river. The artist organizes the scene into distinct zones from foreground to background. In the foreground, we see marshy vegetation and the river's edge. Behind this lies the middle ground, populated by figures on horseback, a humble dwelling, and a small boat with passengers. The background features a distant cityscape with a prominent church spire, all under an expansive sky filled with heavy clouds. Van der Haer uses line and tone to create depth and texture. The dense, almost chaotic etching marks in the sky contrast with the sparser lines defining the landscape, creating a sense of atmospheric perspective. The scene offers a visual discourse on space and human presence within the natural world. The travelers serve not just as figures in a landscape but as signs within a larger semiotic system, inviting viewers to interpret the narratives and cultural codes embedded in the artwork.