Duinpan 1821 - 1891

Guillaume Anne van der Brugghen made this oil on paper painting, entitled Duinpan. The scene evokes the windswept Dutch landscape, probably captured "en plein air" or "in the open air". This was becoming more popular in European painting at the time. The Hague School, emerging in the Netherlands around this period, emphasized realism and the subtle evocation of atmosphere. Van der Brugghen belonged to a circle of artists who explored the Dutch landscape. The painting evokes the social and cultural values of the time, notably an interest in the “common” landscape rather than historical or religious scenes. It’s not grand. It’s quiet, unassuming, and true to life. To better understand this artwork, research into the history of landscape painting in the Netherlands, and the rise of plein air painting, would reveal a great deal about its place in the art world of its time.