Huis ten Bosch in de sneeuw 1890 - 1930

Philip Zilcken made this print of Huis ten Bosch in the snow. It brings together the royal residence with the quiet beauty of a winter landscape. As an etcher, Zilcken was interested in the effects of weather on architecture. In a country like the Netherlands, weather is a major influence on daily life. We might see this print as an example of Dutch Realism, which tried to capture the world as it appeared to the artist, without embellishment. In the 19th century, there was a growing public interest in the royal family. The palace Huis ten Bosch was opened to the public in 1981. Zilcken’s print gives us insight into Dutch cultural values and the increasing public interest in the monarchy. By studying such prints, we can better understand the social and cultural context in which they were made.