Woodland Road 1665 - 1675

Meyndert Hobbema created "Woodland Road" using oil on canvas, a traditional painting method that allowed for meticulous detail and rich layering. Look at how Hobbema employed these materials. The oil paint is manipulated to mimic the textures of the natural world. Notice the impasto, or thick application of paint, which captures the rough bark of the trees. The canvas support provides a foundation, but it's the paint that truly brings the scene to life. Hobbema's technique is part of a long lineage of landscape painting, yet the material reality of the painting reminds us of the labor involved. Through this, Hobbema offers not just a picturesque scene, but a reflection on the relationship between humans and the environment. By looking closely at the materiality and making of "Woodland Road," we gain a deeper understanding of its cultural significance. It challenges traditional hierarchies and reminds us to appreciate the skill and intention embedded in its creation.