Park Berg en Bosch in Apeldoorn Possibly 1923

Richard Tepe captured this image of Park Berg en Bosch in Apeldoorn, using a photographic process that renders a monochromatic and ethereal scene. Born in the Netherlands during a time of significant social change, Tepe’s work often reflects a deep connection to the natural world, a sentiment perhaps intensified by the rapid industrialization of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. His photographs provide a window into the cultural values of his time, where nature was idealized as a space of purity and escape. Consider how this image invites us to reflect on our own relationship with the environment. The starkness of the winter landscape, the quiet stillness of the scene, evokes a sense of solitude, but also a profound peace. Does this image challenge or reinforce our expectations of nature?