Boomstammen bij een helling 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve created this sketch, 'Boomstammen bij een helling', using graphite on paper. The composition is dominated by a series of dense, diagonal lines that evoke a sense of depth and texture. The monochromatic palette heightens the focus on form and the interplay of light and shadow. Mauve's sketch can be seen as an exploration into the structural elements of a landscape. The bold strokes serve not just to represent the physical forms of tree trunks and a slope, but also to articulate a dynamic interplay between surface and depth. The use of line is particularly striking, as it moves beyond mere representation to engage with the very essence of the landscape. Consider how Mauve’s use of rapid, expressive marks challenges the traditional notion of a landscape as a static, picturesque view. Instead, he presents us with a landscape that is active, vibrant, and in constant flux. This challenges fixed meanings and values about how we understand and represent the natural world.