Door een storm getroffen boom 1874

Willem Cornelis Rip made this pencil drawing of a tree struck by a storm. The image is a testament to the power of nature and the vulnerability of even the oldest and largest living things. The Netherlands, where Rip lived and worked, has a unique relationship with nature. Much of the land is reclaimed from the sea and requires constant maintenance and protection. The Dutch have always been acutely aware of the power of nature and the need to manage it. Rip's drawing reflects this awareness. The tree is not simply a beautiful object, but a symbol of the struggle between humans and nature. The storm that struck the tree can be seen as a metaphor for the challenges that the Dutch face in their ongoing efforts to control their environment. We could research 19th century weather patterns to better understand the impact of storms on Dutch society.