Huis tussen de bomen 1891 - 1898

Willem Cornelis Rip sketched “Huis tussen de bomen” with graphite on paper. Born in 1856, Rip belonged to a generation navigating rapid industrialization and urbanization in the Netherlands. This sketch offers a glimpse into the artistic sensibilities of the time, where the intimacy of the landscape held a particular resonance. The house nestled among trees evokes a sense of refuge, a quiet escape from the changing world. Rip’s loose strokes suggest a closeness to nature, an appreciation for the simple, unadorned beauty of the rural environment. While the drawing might seem apolitical, consider the politics of seeing: who had the luxury to find solace in nature, and whose labor sustained such leisure? There is something to be said about the accessibility of nature. Rip's sketch invites us to contemplate our relationship with the environment. It encourages us to reflect on the stories and histories embedded within these landscapes.