Grote waterval Possibly 1630 - 1717

Curator: Looking at "Grote waterval," or "Great Waterfall," by Anthonie Waterloo, etched sometime between 1630 and 1717, the initial feeling is… dense. Editor: Dense indeed! The textures are layered meticulously. You’ve got the turbulent water against the stillness of the rocks and then the leafy forest canopy above. There is certainly an evocation of raw nature here, albeit captured on a modest scale with the etching technique. Curator: And yet, even as a smaller etching, the piece engages with the popular Baroque theme of nature's power. Waterfalls held specific significance in the 17th century. Beyond simple depiction, they resonated with ideas of the sublime and, increasingly, the potential of nature for harnessing economic resources, especially in Dutch landscape art. It certainly shows in its monumental structure here in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: From a formal perspective, observe the stark contrast of the blacks and whites! This adds drama and really accentuates the play of light across the water. Waterloo really uses that contrast to guide your eye through the entire piece. Also notice the strong diagonals created by the waterfall and fallen tree trunk; these compositional elements inject movement and dynamism. Curator: Absolutely. These kinds of landscapes played an important role in shaping the way people saw, appreciated, and utilized natural resources in the Netherlands and abroad during the Dutch Golden Age. Pictures like these validated the Dutch efforts of dominating landscape to progress social status in its time. Editor: And even now, this small but fierce composition exemplifies the Baroque interest in capturing movement, grandeur, and emotional impact using fairly modest means. Its appeal endures through the skill and attention to line shown throughout this beautiful etching. Curator: Right, it is also amazing how Dutch art during that time had an international reach. Looking at the influence it had on public perception of landscape then and now. A small image, a massive conversation. Editor: It speaks volumes about how we look at, or try to interpret, the outside world, doesn't it? An object that has evolved into more than simply what you see, which only furthers how you study.