Wilgenboom 1848

Remigius Adrianus Haanen made this drawing called "Wilgenboom" or "Willow Tree" in 1862. In the 19th century the Dutch art world saw a resurgence of interest in landscape art. Haanen has chosen a humble subject here: a willow tree. The drawing style is precise and detailed, a common style in the Netherlands at this time. This aesthetic was partly influenced by the Dutch landscape itself: flat, open, and agricultural. It was also influenced by Dutch society which valued hard work and attention to detail. The art market in the Netherlands was supported by institutions like the Pulchri Studio and the Royal Academy of Art in Amsterdam. These institutions played a crucial role in shaping artistic taste and promoting the work of Dutch artists. To understand Haanen's “Willow Tree” further, we could look at exhibition catalogues, artist biographies, and period reviews of his work. Such resources help us to understand how art is contingent on its time.