Bosgezicht c. 1888s

Willem Witsen created this evocative charcoal drawing, titled 'Bosgezicht' around the turn of the 20th century. At the time Witsen was part of the Amsterdam Impressionism movement, a group that captured the everyday urban and rural life in the Netherlands. Though seemingly simple, this sketch invites us to consider the relationship between nature and national identity. It presents a landscape stripped down to its essence; vertical lines suggesting trees against a hazy sky. The immediacy of the charcoal captures a fleeting moment, a personal encounter with nature. It represents a shift from the idealized landscapes of earlier art, towards a more intimate and subjective experience. Witsen came from an upper-class background, which afforded him the privilege to explore his artistic passions. His work often reflects a quiet contemplation, far removed from the social and political turmoil of the era. In viewing 'Bosgezicht' we are reminded of the power of art to distill complex emotions into simple forms.