Gezicht op Den Haag vanuit het zuiden 1811 - 1816

Here is the view of The Hague from the South, a drawing by Robert Hills. Notice the subdued palette; Hills employs light graphite to capture the atmosphere of the Dutch landscape. The composition is structured by a strong horizontal axis where the skyline of The Hague meets the open field. This division creates a sense of balance, yet the delicate rendering lends an ethereal quality. Hills was working at a time when the picturesque aesthetic was gaining popularity. This artwork is indicative of a fascination with landscape and the sublime. The artist captured the scene with the formal elements of line and space to guide the eye, which also invites a certain contemplative state. The artist, through this mode of representation, invites us to reflect on our perception of space and place. The detailed execution of the skyline contrasts with the minimal rendering of the foreground, reflecting a larger discourse about the relationship between man and nature.