Sloot bij Nootdorp 1874 - 1919

Jan Willem Nortier created this etching called ‘Sloot bij Nootdorp’, or ‘Ditch at Nootdorp’, at the turn of the 20th century. Nortier lived and worked in a time of rapid industrialization and urbanization. Many artists were turning away from city life in favor of rural landscapes. This print captures a quiet, still moment by a ditch near Nootdorp. The reflections in the water create a mirrored image of the trees and the distant buildings. This scene is a commentary on the changing relationship between people and the land, highlighting the emotional connection to nature as a source of solace and identity. Nortier’s choice of a simple, almost mundane scene elevates the ordinary, reminding us of the profound beauty that exists in the everyday. This artwork invites us to reflect on our own connection to the natural world. It reflects the broader societal longing for a simpler, more authentic existence.