Bosgezicht bij zonsondergang 1867 - 1935

Maurits van der Valk created this evocative forest scene in the Netherlands using crayon, though we don’t know exactly when. The image suggests ideas about the relationship between nature and culture that were developing at the time. Looking at the image, we can see how the artist uses the play of light and shadow to create a sense of depth and mystery. The dark trees contrast with the warm glow of the setting sun, drawing us into the scene. Van der Valk made this drawing at a time when artists began questioning traditional ways of representation. Across Europe there was a growing interest in landscape and the importance of nature for national identity. Museums at this time were expanding rapidly, becoming places of education and entertainment for a growing middle class. To understand an artwork like this fully, we need to look at the historical context and the social forces that shaped its creation. Only then can we begin to understand its significance.