Study of Trees c. 1640s

This is Lucas van Uden’s “Study of Trees,” a drawing rendered with pen, brown ink, and wash on paper. The grouping of trees creates a rhythmic, almost musical, structure. Note how the verticality of the trunks is offset by the delicate, horizontal reach of the branches. Van Uden masterfully uses the wash to create depth and volume, suggesting the rough texture of the bark, and the atmospheric perspective softens the background, creating a sense of receding space. The drawing engages with the broader artistic concerns of the time, reflecting an interest in naturalism and the detailed observation of the natural world. The use of line and wash is not merely descriptive but also expressive. Van Uden conveys not just the appearance of trees, but a feeling for the natural world, an attempt to capture its essence through formal means. The delicate balance between observation and artistic interpretation creates a work that resonates with its close attention to detail, and its ability to evoke a sense of the sublime through simple means.