Landschap met bomen en vrouw op ezel in ondiep water 1848

Willem Jan van den Berghe created this landscape with trees and a woman on a donkey in shallow water, using etching. Looking at this landscape through a contemporary lens, it evokes questions about the relationship between humans and nature. The woman on the donkey might represent traditional modes of living closely tied to the land. We can think about how gender and labor intersect here; the woman embodies a connection to rural life, performing labor within this natural setting. The naturalistic style invites an emotional response, perhaps nostalgia or a longing for simpler times, while reflecting a sense of harmony between the human figure and the surrounding landscape. The artwork prompts us to consider the complex relationships between identity, gender, and our environment.