Landschap met mannen die stokken dragen 1605 - 1673

Lucas van Uden created this landscape scene, "Landschap met mannen die stokken dragen" with etching. At first glance, the eye is drawn into the composition, which uses scale and perspective to create a sense of depth that invites viewers to lose themselves in the vastness of the landscape. The lines of the etched marks guide our sight from the foreground to the distant horizon. The figures of the men carrying sticks appear to be wandering through the scene, and can be interpreted as the artist's way of questioning fixed identities and social roles, suggesting a more fluid and dynamic relationship between individuals and their environment. The contrast between light and shadow, achieved through the etched marks, not only defines the forms within the landscape but also infuses the scene with an almost dreamlike quality. This destabilizes any sense of a fixed reality, inviting viewers to question what they see and consider the potential for multiple interpretations.