Bosgezicht met rustende reizigers onder een boom 1783

Hendrik Meijer created this drawing of a landscape with resting travelers under a tree sometime in the late 18th century. The Dutch Golden Age saw landscape paintings as more than just backdrops. They became reflections of national identity and pride, emphasizing the beauty and tranquility of the Dutch countryside. Meijer's drawing depicts an idealized version of rural life. However, consider the social context: who had the luxury to pause and rest in nature? The travelers in the foreground likely belonged to the leisure classes, while other figures work, herding cattle in the background. This reveals a society structured by class, with access to leisure distinctly divided. The drawing evokes a sense of peace and harmony. The presence of travelers resting reminds us of the era's values, the pursuit of leisure and contemplation. Yet, it also subtly highlights the social inequalities inherent in Dutch society. It is this tension between the idyllic and the real that makes Meijer's work compelling.