Picknick in het bos 1822 - 1883

Rombertus Julianus van Arum’s etching, "Picknick in het bos", presents a bourgeois gathering amidst the natural world. The group, clustered beneath the canopy, evokes the classical theme of the idyllic pastoral scene. Here, the figures are not merely present, but are participating in a shared cultural ritual, emphasized by their interactions and attire. A simple picnic can be seen as a secular echo of more ancient communion rituals, where sharing food fosters a sense of community and belonging. We can trace the motifs of communal gatherings in nature back to antiquity, appearing in Renaissance fêtes champêtres. In these earlier works, the relationship with nature is often symbolic of a retreat from civilization, a return to innocence and simplicity. But here, the black and white tonality and depiction of 19th-century clothing and social interaction highlight the evolving ways in which society understands and depicts its relationship with nature and itself. The idea of returning to nature persists, but its manifestation adapts with the times. It’s a continuous cycle of rediscovery, reinterpretation, and rebirth of timeless symbols.