Gezicht vanuit de duinen op Haarlem 1797 - 1870

Andreas Schelfhout created this drawing of Haarlem from the dunes using graphite. During the Dutch Romantic era, Schelfhout, as with many artists, turned to the landscape as a reflection of national identity and cultural pride. His choice to depict the vista from the dunes offers a layered perspective. The vastness of the land meets the intimate portrayal of figures traversing the landscape, creating a dialogue between the individual and the nation. Consider the figures on horseback: what does it mean to show men surveying the land from a position of elevation? Schelfhout's drawing, with its delicate lines and expansive composition, invites us to contemplate our relationship with the land. It reflects how cultural identity is mapped onto natural environments, shaping both our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.