Boom c. 1884 - 1887

Curator: Today, we are looking at “Boom,” a drawing by Willem Witsen, dating from around 1884 to 1887. It is currently held in the Rijksmuseum's collection. The piece is rendered in pencil and ink on paper. Editor: It strikes me as incredibly delicate. Almost ghostly. The lines are so fine; it feels like the tree could vanish with a breath of wind. Curator: Precisely! It really captures a fleeting moment. Witsen's work often explores his immediate surroundings. During this period, artists started to really capture those subtle nuances in daily life and translate it into works for the masses. He sought to show a sense of light, air, and space that would also invite more urban planning around those notions. Editor: So you’re suggesting that this drawing isn't just about depicting a tree but might also reflect broader societal concerns about industrialization and the disappearing natural landscapes around growing cities. This piece gives a voice and recognition to those landscapes impacted, and reminds people about environmentalism. Curator: Exactly. While rooted in realism, his impressionistic touch conveys a sense of immediacy. It invites viewers to contemplate the changing relationship between humans and the natural world. What do you think it evokes now in our time of increased urbanization and deforestation? Editor: It's interesting how art made a century ago speaks directly to today’s urgent conversations. It evokes a sense of loss. Loss of that immediate connection to nature and this nostalgic call to pay better attention to trees. We have been losing touch and works such as these will bring back focus to sustainable practices. Curator: I concur entirely. Witsen’s rendering, seemingly simple, underscores a deep political call, a reminder of nature's intrinsic worth as the social landscape began rapidly transforming. Editor: Yes, and that transformation continues, compelling us to ask, what spaces are we protecting and what voices are amplified by them? Curator: "Boom" becomes more than just a study of a tree. It acts as a mirror. Reflecting both a bygone era and current imperatives of sustainability.