Vlak landschap met rechts een boomgroep 1620 - 1661

'Vlak landschap met rechts een boomgroep,' or 'Flat landscape with a group of trees on the right', was made by Pieter de Molijn using black chalk. The Dutch landscape paintings of the 17th century were closely tied to national identity. They emerged during a time when the Dutch Republic was solidifying its independence and cultural distinctiveness. These landscapes, far from being neutral depictions, actively shaped perceptions of Dutch identity. Looking at this simple composition with its low horizon line, we can see Molijn's interest in the landscape as a mirror reflecting cultural values and national pride. It is a celebration of the pastoral, rooted in the economic and social transformations of the time, reflecting a move from religious to secular interests. These landscapes were a way for artists and their patrons to assert their connection to the land, to claim ownership and belonging. They highlight the emotional connections tied to homeland, which remains pertinent to conversations about identity today.