Boom c. 1765 - 1775

This is a drawing of a tree, titled ‘Boom’ by Jean-Honoré Fragonard in the Rijksmuseum. The initial impression is of a dense, graphite texture forming the foliage and branches against the stark paper. The tree is centrally positioned; its structure emerges from darker, more concentrated marks at the base, dissolving into lighter, fainter strokes towards the top. Fragonard's method engages with the picturesque aesthetic, which saw nature as a series of visual experiences. The composition isn’t just a representation of a tree; it’s an exploration into the aesthetic qualities of form, line, and texture. The drawing destabilizes traditional landscape art, which emphasized detailed botanical accuracy, in favour of capturing a momentary atmospheric essence. Observe how the network of lines creates depth and volume, blurring the line between representation and abstraction. Fragonard captures a subjective response to nature and invites a continuous re-evaluation of how we perceive and depict the natural world.