Bosgezicht 1813 - 1863

Arnoldus Johannes Eymer created this watercolor titled 'Bosgezicht,' which translates to 'Forest View,' during the Dutch Romantic period. The painting invites us into a serene woodland, evoking the era's deep reverence for nature. At the time, nature was often idealized as an escape from industrialization, yet access to it varied greatly depending on one's social standing. As we contemplate Eymer's forest, it's worth considering who had the luxury to wander and contemplate such scenes, and whose labor sustained the society that enabled this artistic pursuit. 'Bosgezicht' is more than just a landscape, it is a reflection of cultural values and societal structures. It prompts us to consider our relationship with nature and the lens through which we view and experience it.