Landschap met water te Rhenen Possibly 1878

Curator: Let’s turn our attention to “Landschap met water te Rhenen,” a landscape drawing possibly from 1878, by Willem Witsen, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, I'm struck by the textural quality. The density of the pencil and charcoal work gives a real sense of depth, even in what seems to be a fleeting sketch. Curator: Indeed. Witsen was very much a part of the Hague School, where there was a movement away from grand historical paintings towards more everyday scenes and rural life, with artists choosing subjects and locations in proximity to their home. The focus shifted toward depicting the nation. Editor: Absolutely. And looking at his technique, it's evident that Witsen is experimenting. The visible strokes remind us of the act of drawing itself; a focus on materiality, isn't it? It looks like a quick rendering made in situ—you can imagine him capturing a specific moment and the specific quality of light hitting those trees. Curator: Landscape in this era was less about topographic accuracy and more about conveying a certain mood, often nostalgic, about the Dutch countryside. The “low countries” become metaphors. There's a subtle melancholy in many Hague School works. I feel it here, too. It really encapsulates the values of the "revival" that was happening with a return to tradition. Editor: That melancholy also reads to me as an exploration of tone, as tonal landscape. The use of charcoal and pencil, cheap and widely available materials, highlights a turn to democratic, modern printmaking processes of the 19th century. Consider how this drawing might have influenced his etching work too. It might have been made for it! Curator: That's a compelling point. These works served a key role in circulating imagery to the broader public at the time and constructing an ideal of national identity through scenes such as these. They contributed to the idea of the Netherlands as an attractive location for cultural visitors, something we are discussing today as well! Editor: A work about place, made in place. A sketch using modest materials, elevating the ordinary. It reminds me to value the straightforward tools of art-making, and that in itself is inspiring. Curator: For me, it speaks of the ever-changing values that landscape acquires according to where it is seen, its time, and its meaning for various publics.