Undulating Landscape with Two Tall Trees 1662 - 1668

This drawing, *Undulating Landscape with Two Tall Trees,* was made by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout with pen and brown ink in the 17th century. At first glance, it appears to be a simple pastoral scene, a quick sketch. But look closely at the repetitive, almost mechanical marks that build up the foliage and suggest the texture of the land. Eeckhout is using the pen almost like an etching tool, building up the image through careful, controlled labor. Consider the social context: in the Dutch Golden Age, the landscape itself became a commodity, managed and manipulated for profit. The ink lines mimic this process, transforming nature into a controlled, consumable image. The drawing isn't just a representation of the land; it’s also a demonstration of human intervention, a subtle commentary on the relationship between art, labor, and the evolving landscape. By understanding the process and materials, we can appreciate how this drawing reflects the complex relationship between humans and nature in a rapidly changing world.