Weide met paarden Possibly 1674 - 1679

This is a pen and brown ink drawing of ‘Weide met paarden’ or ‘Meadow with horses’ by Constantijn Huygens II. The drawing presents a tranquil pastoral scene, dominated by the open expanse of a meadow that occupies the foreground. Huygens employs a delicate, almost fragile, linework to delineate the forms of the horses, the distant trees, and the subtle undulations of the landscape. The composition is structured by a contrast between the detailed, concentrated groupings of the horses and trees, and the sparser, sketch-like treatment of the meadow. This contrast creates a sense of depth and invites the eye to wander across the scene. The light brown ink adds a warmth and unity to the work. Huygens invites a discourse on nature, landscape and representation. His drawing isn't just a visual record, but an active construction, inviting us to question how meaning is made through line, form, and the very act of viewing.