Omgevallen boom 1896 - 1897

Willem Cornelis Rip made this drawing, titled 'Fallen Tree,' with pencil on paper. Rip, who lived through the late 19th and early 20th centuries, was part of a generation grappling with rapid industrialization and urbanization. This artwork reflects a shift in artistic focus towards the intimate and often melancholic observation of nature. The fallen tree becomes a potent symbol, perhaps of mortality, or of nature's vulnerability in the face of societal change. The rough, unfinished quality of the sketch invites us to consider themes of transience and decay. There's an emotional weight in the simplicity of the lines, a sense of loss or disruption. Rip’s sketch captures a moment of quiet contemplation, reflecting both the fragility of the natural world, and perhaps a broader commentary on the human condition during a time of great social and environmental transformation.