Bosgezicht 1813 - 1862

Barend Cornelis Koekkoek made this drawing, Bosgezicht, with pen in grey ink and brush in grey and brown, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Koekkoek specialized in idealized landscapes, and this forest scene reflects a broader cultural interest in nature during the Romantic era. His highly detailed and carefully composed images, as seen here, appealed to the values of the rising middle class in the Netherlands. These landscapes weren't just about pretty scenery; they represented a sense of national pride and connection to the land, especially significant after the Napoleonic era. The presence of the bench is telling of the emerging culture of leisure and the way that institutions of the time were starting to think about art as a way of promoting both moral and physical wellbeing in a rapidly changing society. To fully appreciate Koekkoek's work, consider the historical context and the market for landscape paintings at the time. Art historians consult exhibition records, collectors’ archives, and period publications to better understand the artwork's original reception and its place within the art market. The meaning of art is always shaped by social context.