Hermanus Boerhaave, ca. 1710 1865 - 1870

Curator: Today, we’re examining an artwork attributed to Christiaan Lodewijk van Kesteren, a drawing and print dating from roughly 1865 to 1870 and titled "Hermanus Boerhaave, ca. 1710," which resides here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: My immediate impression is one of constrained melancholy. The landscape, while lush, is confined within this rather severe octagonal frame, creating a sense of enclosure. Curator: Yes, the composition is interesting in that regard. Observe how the lines of the trees create a sense of verticality, but the lack of horizon reinforces the boxed-in sensation. And consider the stark contrasts, how Kesteren employed light and shadow, structuring the whole. Editor: And within that structured light, the central figure—Boerhaave, presumably—appears lost in thought, gazing toward the lightest part of the image. Light as knowledge or insight perhaps? Trees become symbolic pillars, not just of the forest, but also knowledge or protection for the man. Curator: It could also suggest that the forest here may allude to a retreat. He could well be immersed in some study. How does the symbol of retreat function, considering the man who would later become one of Europe's leading professors? Editor: Indeed, what does it imply about scientific pursuit itself? Does Kesteren imply it requires some separation from the world? It’s quite striking that such a contained, precise image evokes so much interiority. Curator: And if we consider that containment in relation to his field. Boerhaave’s scientific pursuits at the time did not offer space for creativity like we can see later. His genius would’ve come from following established structural paradigms that left little to challenge convention. So, he could be wandering on the edge of it all, considering it for himself. Editor: Thank you. Considering the context, this artwork is both serene and intensely thought-provoking. Curator: The manipulation of light and dark, the carefully arranged composition, speak volumes.