Landskab 1887

Hans Jantzen created this landscape etching, measuring 147 by 215 mm, sometime in the late 19th century. The composition presents a stark, open field bisected by a narrow stream, leading the eye towards a distant treeline. The etching's monochromatic palette and delicate lines evoke a sense of quiet desolation. Jantzen’s approach to landscape differs markedly from earlier traditions. There is a clear emphasis on structural elements: the precise lines defining the water channel, the careful arrangement of barren trees, and the calculated distribution of light and shadow across the field. The semiotic system at play here strips away romantic ideals, inviting a more analytical contemplation of space and form. Notice how Jantzen used linear elements to structure our perception of the landscape. These lines, whether defining the stream or sketching distant trees, are not merely representational; they actively construct our understanding of the scene, challenging any fixed meaning. This artwork remains an open invitation to interpret its forms anew.