Weiland met knotwilgen 1807 - 1861

Cornelis Steffelaar made this drawing of pollard willows using pen in grey ink with brush in grey wash. The subtle tonal range is characteristic of the medium, with light, diluted washes building up a soft atmosphere. But this choice of subject matter – pollard willows – shouldn't be overlooked. In Steffelaar's time, the rural landscape was far from separate from industry; these trees were carefully managed to produce withies – flexible willow branches used for basketry, wattle fencing, and even construction. The consistent cropping seen on these trees is evidence of careful labor, for a very specific purpose. Steffelaar's choice of the pollard willow landscape, therefore, places the drawing in a context of craft, labor, and intensive management of natural resources. So while the drawing may seem picturesque on first viewing, it subtly evokes a whole world of material culture.