Illegale wensdroom 1945 - 1948

Eduard Veterman made ‘Illegale wensdroom’ in August 1945, using watercolor, ink and pencil. The pale palette creates a faded, dreamlike effect. It feels spontaneous, as if captured quickly, like a fleeting thought. The prisoner’s longing is palpable in the details. Clothes hang in anticipation, each with a tag indicating the day they are to be worn. A sign reserves a chair for future use, full of optimism. The most striking element for me is the cloud-like bed. It’s both a bed and an escape, a soft, pillowy vision of freedom. Veterman’s delicate brushstrokes give it a weightless, ethereal quality, contrasting with the harsh reality of the barred window in the background. The piece reminds me of other artists like Guston, who also used simple, direct marks to convey complex emotions. Like his work, it embraces ambiguity, inviting us to contemplate the multiple layers of hope and despair.