Weg tussen bomen 1886

Curator: Right, let’s turn our attention to Jan Veth’s “Weg tussen bomen,” or “Road Between Trees,” created in 1886. It’s an etching, a form of printmaking, held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, it whispers "twilight" to me, or maybe a very somber dawn. There’s such a hushed atmosphere evoked with the line work—like charcoal, almost feathery, across the sky and ground. Curator: Yes, there is an undeniable drama to it. Consider that line work, the intentionality in the mark-making, the way he builds atmosphere with it. Jan Veth was known for his portraits, but landscapes provided a different kind of emotional vocabulary for him. He seems drawn to the liminal spaces of nature, the moments when light shifts and transforms the familiar into something otherworldly. Editor: Absolutely. The road itself… it’s not grand or inviting. It's understated, almost disappearing. It suggests a personal journey, not a public parade. And that lone figure barely visible in the distance... it invites quiet reflection. The lack of vibrant colour, obviously dictated by the printmaking method, lends the landscape a universality that goes beyond the literal place depicted. Curator: Precisely. In landscapes from this era, the road is not just a path, but it is a symbol of choice, of the journey of life. It's compelling how such subtle choices in the rendering can influence the viewer's engagement. He invites you to contemplate your place in this natural order, what road will you take? Editor: Right? It's more about feeling than seeing. Which, when you consider its impressionistic leanings, fits so well. Curator: It certainly adds layers to one’s experience. So, the next time you walk through a landscape, take a moment to look, but perhaps more importantly, feel the journey it evokes. Editor: I love that. Maybe carry this image with you— see how Veth's feelings transform your own path.