Large Forest. Verso: a tree-lined lane with figure 1600 - 1700

Johannes Leupenius created this drawing, Large Forest, using pen and brown ink with gray wash on paper sometime in the late 17th century. It is a scene of nature, yes, but consider the social and cultural values that would lead an artist to produce such a work, and a patron to acquire it. This kind of landscape emerged in the Netherlands during its Golden Age, a period of unprecedented economic growth and social change. The Dutch Republic was unique in Europe for its relative religious tolerance and republican government, fostering a thriving merchant class, and a market for art outside of the church and aristocracy. The rising middle class sought images that reflected their values and experiences. Leupenius’ forest evokes a sense of calm and order, a respite from the bustling urban centers and a reflection of the Dutch taming of their natural environment through land reclamation and careful management. To truly understand this work, we can consult historical records, letters, and economic data to reconstruct the world in which it was made, uncovering the complex interplay between art and society.