Landschap met bomen in vogelvluchtperspectief 1685

Coenraet Decker created this landscape with trees in bird's-eye view with etching. The composition is a careful balance of open and enclosed space, which is achieved through contrasting the dark density of the surrounding trees with a flat expanse of the field. The line work creates a sense of depth and recession and invites the eye to travel through the scenery. The landscape is a structured arrangement of natural elements, conforming to a visual framework that is consciously organised. The textures and patterns created by the etching technique draw the viewer’s attention to the formal qualities of the landscape and the way in which they are represented. The artwork is more than just a depiction of nature; it is an exploration of space, form and representation. Decker uses a visual language to construct an image that engages with contemporary ideas about landscape and perception.