Frankendael before 1952

Johan van Hell made this black ink woodcut called Frankendael, but we don't know exactly when. The composition feels so still and quiet, blanketed in snow, and framed with trees reaching to the sky. It reminds me of the Dutch masters, the way they capture light in winter scenes. I can imagine Van Hell in his studio, carefully carving into the woodblock, following the photograph with his chisel. The way he renders the shadows and textures with such precision, creating a sense of depth and atmosphere. There’s a stillness to the scene. It gives me a sense of anticipation, like waiting for something magical to happen. What can the artist see in this moment that I cannot?