Drie bomen aan een oever 1839 - 1888

Augustinus Wouters created this etching, "Three Trees on a Shore," using ink on paper. It’s a classic landscape, reminiscent of the Dutch Golden Age, but made in the 19th century. Artists at this time were questioning the role of art and its institutions. Was it simply to replicate tradition, or could it serve a more progressive function? Wouters lived during a period of industrialization, so it's tempting to view this work as nostalgic for a pre-industrial past. However, it’s more likely an exploration of the eternal qualities of the Dutch landscape. We see the influence of the Hague School of painting, which sought to capture the natural light and atmosphere of the Netherlands, but within the more easily reproducible medium of etching. Understanding the art of the 19th century requires us to look beyond the surface of what is represented and consider the social and economic conditions that shaped its production. Museum archives and historical societies can help provide insight into the artist’s world.