Boomgroep in de bossen bij Driebergen c. 1855 - 1865

Charles Rochussen made "Boomgroep in de bossen bij Driebergen" using watercolor, a medium known for its translucency. The thin washes of pigment on paper allow light to reflect, creating a luminous effect. Watercolors have always been associated with immediacy and spontaneity, ideal for capturing fleeting impressions of nature en plein air. Rochussen’s rapid brushstrokes and subtle gradations of color evoke a sense of atmospheric depth. He uses the wet-on-wet technique, where new colors are applied to still-wet areas, allowing for a soft blending of tones. The loose, fluid application of watercolor contrasts with the dense, detailed approach often found in academic painting. This work reflects a shift towards more direct and personal engagement with the landscape, away from the formal conventions of history painting. Rochussen’s choice of watercolor as his primary medium underscores his interest in capturing the sensory experience of being in nature.