Wintergezicht 1778 - 1838

This delicate winter scene was drawn by Anthonie van den Bos, likely in the late 18th or early 19th century, using brown ink on paper. Look closely and you will see the fine lines, cross-hatching, and stippling that give depth to the wintry landscape. The artist was part of a long tradition of Dutch landscape artists, but what is remarkable about this work is its small scale and the intimacy it creates. Van den Bos has rendered the frigid landscape with great detail. The sepia ink is made from the pigment of dried cuttlefish, and the fine lines suggest a quill was used to create the drawing. The lines feel immediate and spontaneous, yet delicate. Although made with traditional materials, this drawing offers insight into the social life of the time, as the artist made visible the frozen canals and snowy landscapes. Appreciating the material and processes used to create the work allows us to understand the artwork within the context of its time.