Rhenen 1911

Wijnand Otto Jan Nieuwenkamp made "Rhenen" using woodcut. The first thing I notice is the sky, a light colour, but so heavy with cloud that it's hard to look away. I can imagine Nieuwenkamp working on this, carving away at the wood, trying to capture that feeling of a summer sky about to burst. The black ink gives the artwork a graphic quality, while the intricate lines create texture. Look how he's used these lines to suggest movement in the clouds, almost like they're alive. I'm thinking about other artists who have tried to capture the sky, like Constable, but this feels different, more intimate. I see a connection between this piece and other works where artists explore the relationship between nature and humanity. What does that church spire mean? How does it feel to look at the world like this, from a high point? Ultimately, it's about Nieuwenkamp sharing his way of seeing with us, his vision of the world.