Landschap met boerderij 1873 - 1933

Hermannus Adrianus van Oosterzee made this landscape with a farm with graphite on paper. It's a scene rendered in greyscale, with careful attention to the fall of light. Look at the way Oosterzee uses tone; it’s all about layering, a slow build-up of graphite to create depth. The shadows cast by the trees in the foreground draw your eye towards the farmhouse, nestled amongst those bare winter trees. See how the light seems to catch the side of the building, bringing it forward ever so slightly. There’s a real sense of stillness, of quiet observation here. I'm reminded of Corot; it's not just a depiction of a place, but also about feeling, about mood. The attention to detail, the focus on light and shadow, really invites you to slow down and look closely. Like much great art, it’s an invitation to see the world in a slightly different way.