Heuvellandschap met bomen 1870 - 1931

Willem Bastiaan Tholen created this charcoal drawing titled "Heuvellandschap met bomen," or "Hill Landscape with Trees," at an unknown date. Tholen, a Dutch artist, came of age during the late 19th century, a period defined by rapid industrialization and urbanization. This sketch offers us a quiet escape from the turmoil of modern life through its rendering of a serene, natural landscape. Notice the absence of human figures. Instead, Tholen focuses on the trees, the rolling hills, and the sky. These are all rendered with sensitivity to the different textures of the landscape. In its own way, this work stands as a quiet act of resistance to the societal norms of its time, rejecting the city in favor of the countryside. The drawing is a reminder of the importance of nature and the need to preserve it for future generations. It expresses a deep-seated desire to return to a simpler, more harmonious way of life, even as the world continues to change around us.