Plas te America Possibly 1896 - 1897

Willem Cornelis Rip made this pencil drawing titled "Plas te America". The artist's choice of subject matter gives us a glimpse into the cultural and environmental concerns of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. "Plas te America" may seem like a simple landscape, but during this period the concept of 'landscape' in art was deeply intertwined with notions of national identity, colonial expansion, and industrialization. Rip's depiction of a "plas," or pool, invites us to consider the relationship between humanity and the natural world. It also prompts reflection on the idea of "America" as a promised land or place of opportunity. The scene may be devoid of human presence, but it hints at a dialogue between the Dutch landscape tradition and the broader narratives of exploration, migration, and settlement that shaped both the Old and New Worlds. The drawing leaves an emotional and historical imprint, reminding us of our connection to nature and the ongoing project of imagining and creating a sense of place.