Landschap 1890 - 1946

Editor: This is "Landschap," a landscape drawing made with pencil by Cornelis Vreedenburgh, dating from between 1890 and 1946. I find it very peaceful. What catches your eye about it? Curator: What I find most compelling is the stark contrast between the presumed spontaneity of a sketch and the very deliberate, repeated mark-making used to create depth and shadow. The artist's hand and the physical properties of the pencil are so present. Editor: How do you mean? Curator: Well, think about the labor involved in creating the textures of the foliage. Each stroke, each tiny pressure adjustment contributes to the overall impression of the scene. This repetitive action almost transforms the landscape into a crafted object, moving beyond simple representation. The act of drawing itself becomes part of the landscape. Editor: So, you’re saying it’s not just a landscape, but a commentary on the process of making art, the value that we place on labour? Curator: Exactly! It makes you consider what 'nature' even means when mediated through industrial materials like graphite and paper, both products of specific historical and economic forces. It also raises questions of accessibility of materials and affordability of artworks for different classes of people. Editor: I never thought of it that way, the social history embedded in the materials themselves. Curator: This artwork isn't simply a passive reflection of nature; it is an active engagement with materiality and the historical forces that shape our understanding of both art and landscape. I think we're encouraged to value the skill and materials used in its construction. Editor: It definitely gives a different perspective, knowing more about what was put in. Curator: It allows us to value what is actually present. The history, the culture and material.