Oever van de IJssel bij Hattem 1867 - 1919

Jan Voerman painted this view of the IJssel river near Hattem in the Netherlands with watercolor. It evokes the Dutch countryside through subtle tones and muted light. Cows stand by the riverbank with the city in the background. Voerman’s choice of subject is tied to the cultural history of the Netherlands, where landscape painting became popular in the 19th century, expressing national identity and pride in the natural beauty of the country. At the time, Dutch art institutions promoted landscape painting to develop a distinct artistic tradition separate from other European styles. The focus on rural scenes reflects the values of a society undergoing industrialization and urbanization, with landscape painting offering an escape to a simpler, idealized past. By studying the archives of art academies and exhibition records, one can better understand the artwork's role in shaping Dutch cultural identity and the changing relationship between the nation and its environment.