Landschap met bomen c. 1846 - 1851

Willem Roelofs made this pencil drawing of trees in the Dutch landscape. It's a study, sketched on paper, perhaps in preparation for a painting. Roelofs was a key figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists active in the second half of the 19th century. They reacted against the formality of the Dutch Academy, rejecting its emphasis on history painting, in favour of landscapes and scenes of everyday life. The Hague School painters often worked ‘en plein air’, directly in front of the landscape, and they sought to capture the effects of light and atmosphere. This drawing reflects that interest in direct observation. Art historians can explore the critical reception of the Hague School. Were they seen as challenging the established artistic institutions? How did their art relate to broader social and political changes in the Netherlands at the time? These are some of the questions to ask in understanding the role of this artwork in its time.