Landschap 1848 - 1888

This landscape was sketched by Anton Mauve, and is now held at the Rijksmuseum. From a distance, the drawing appears as a collection of gray scribbles on a pale ground, yet closer observation reveals the artist's interest in the rudimentary forms of the land. Mauve uses a limited palette to depict a landscape with a horizon line that is nearly centered. The trees on the right and the low laying land on the left, with an open area in the center. These elements are defined by layers of marks, built up through hatching and cross-hatching. These marks not only give form to the landscape but also suggest the interplay of light and shadow across the scene. The structure of the drawing is based on a dichotomy between open space and dense areas. While seemingly simple, the work challenges us to consider how lines and shades can come together to create the illusion of space and form. It invites us to think about the structures that define our perception of the natural world.