Trees at Lake with Boat 1921

"Trees at Lake with Boat" is a landscape painting by Maggie Laubser, a South African artist known for her expressionist style. Laubser’s identity as a woman artist in a male-dominated art world, coupled with her Afrikaner heritage, shaped her unique perspective. In this painting, the bold brushstrokes and vibrant colors create an emotional intensity, reflective of the landscapes that resonated with her. Laubser's work often challenged traditional representations, seeking instead to capture the raw, unfiltered beauty of the South African landscape. Though her art was initially met with criticism in South Africa, she felt driven to capture the unique light, stating that, “One should not only paint what one sees before one’s eyes. One should also paint what one sees within oneself.” Here, Laubser invites us to see beyond the surface, to feel the visceral connection to the land. The painting reflects the changing cultural landscape of South Africa during her time and speaks to the emotional and personal dimensions of the land.